Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe
Autosport Plus

The next mountain W Series must climb

Through a controversial concept launch, one of its drivers making it into a Formula 1 role and format experiments coming under the glare of TV lenses, the W Series has made a promising start. But the second year will be its biggest test yet

If the follow-up album is the hardest for a new band that's made an impact with its debut, then the same logic can be applied to the second season of an all-new single-seater racing championship - and this is exactly the challenge facing W Series as its inaugural season draws to a close at Brands Hatch next weekend.

Via the controversy over its single-gender concept when it was launched, its big-name backers in David Coulthard and Channel 4, and its lofty mission statement to 'change the face of racing': from the get-go, W Series has been able to capitalise on heightened publicity and attention that is otherwise not afforded to other junior single-seater championships at a similar Formula 3 level.

Previous article Gilkes confidence boosted "no-end" after Assen reversed-grid race win
Next article Brands Hatch W Series: Emma Kimilainen leads both practice sessions

More from Lucy Morson

Verstappen: "Irresponsible" Leclerc deserved instant clash penalty

Verstappen: "Irresponsible" Leclerc deserved instant clash penalty

F1 Formula 1
Verstappen: "Irresponsible" Leclerc deserved instant clash penalty Verstappen: "Irresponsible" Leclerc deserved instant clash penalty
Bottas: Mercedes's Japan GP upgrade should be a "decent step"

Bottas: Mercedes's Japan GP upgrade should be a "decent step"

F1 Formula 1
Bottas: Mercedes's Japan GP upgrade should be a "decent step" Bottas: Mercedes's Japan GP upgrade should be a "decent step"
Autosport International Show announces RetroFuture campaign

Autosport International Show announces RetroFuture campaign

MISC General
Autosport International Show announces RetroFuture campaign Autosport International Show announces RetroFuture campaign
Ogier and di Grassi headline Extreme E's new driver programme

Ogier and di Grassi headline Extreme E's new driver programme

FE Formula E
Ogier and di Grassi headline Extreme E's new driver programme Ogier and di Grassi headline Extreme E's new driver programme
How Chadwick became motorsport's face of change

How Chadwick became motorsport's face of change

Plus
Plus
WS W Series
How Chadwick became motorsport's face of change How Chadwick became motorsport's face of change
Ex-F1's David Coulthard 'doesn't get' continued W Series criticism

Ex-F1's David Coulthard 'doesn't get' continued W Series criticism

WS W Series
Ex-F1's David Coulthard 'doesn't get' continued W Series criticism Ex-F1's David Coulthard 'doesn't get' continued W Series criticism
What W Series must look like in 2020

What W Series must look like in 2020

Plus
Plus
WS W Series
What W Series must look like in 2020 What W Series must look like in 2020
W Series 2020 driver selection process starts in September

W Series 2020 driver selection process starts in September

MISC General
W Series 2020 driver selection process starts in September W Series 2020 driver selection process starts in September

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe