24 November 2022
Following the 2022 Singapore W Race, it emerged that the ladies’ W Series could not complete its planned campaign after a contracted deal with an American investor collapsed. The last three races of the season did not go ahead.
The early finish to the season saw British lady racing driver Jamie Chadwick crowned champion for the third time.
On a more positive note, Formula 1 has announced the launch of its new all-female driver category, the F1 Academy, to ‘develop and prepare young female drivers to progress to higher levels of competition.’
The academy will start in 2023; the new series will look to provide a way of access to the W Series, Formula 1, Formula 2, and Formula 3.
Bruno Michel, the CEO of Formula Motorsport, will direct the series. Formula 1 will partially support the cost of each car. Drivers will be required to cover the same amount, and the teams are covering the rest of the budget.
There will be five teams, each entering three cars and seven events with three races per event, giving the season a 21-event race card.
The all-female driver series will run laterally with the all-female driver W Series.
I understand cars for the F1 Academy will be a Tatuus T421 chassis featuring Autotecnica turbocharged engines capable of delivering 165 horsepower, with tyres provided by F1’s global partner Pirelli.
I will provide the 2023 race calendar when it’s concluded.
