W Series hopeful targets big British GP weekend

W Series, the pioneering all-female racing championship, will touch down at Silverstone in July where it will act as support race for the British Grand Prix.

The series is due to run at eight grands prix this year, starting with the two Austrian rounds before arriving at the home of British racing. It is a high-profile chance for the series to win over new fans and prove the critics wrong.

Alice Powell, who came third in the series in 2019 (there was no racing in 2020 due to Covid) told Motor Sport the programme of support races offered a golden opportunity for the series: “It would mean everything to win the championship, especially this year when it’s on the F1 support bill. The credit W Series is receiving from the FIA and F1 in only its second year is incredible.”

Powell, who was the first woman to win a Formula Renault championship, said she was particularly excited about the British round: “The race I’m looking forward to is the British GP. It would be very strange if I wasn’t looking forward to that one. Racing in front of my home crowd will be incredible and I’ve been lucky enough to go to a few home grands prix and the atmosphere is always good.”

Jamie Chadwick, who won the title in 2019, remains favourite to defend her crown this term. “You have got to look at Jamie as the champion with the title to defend,” added Powell. “She had a year racing in Formula Regional last year so she’s had time in a car and you know she’s going to be up there.”