All-female F1 support 'W series' has collaped
Oct.11 - The all-female open wheel support series for Formula 1 has collapsed with two races still to run in 2022.
We reported a fortnight ago that the 'W Series' was on its last legs after the Singapore event, with reports revealing that "significant sums" are owed to creditors.
"We're looking at our budgets," said series boss Catherine Bond Muir. "We're confident that we'll continue to raise money."
Jamie Chadwick (GBR/ Veloce Racing)
Those efforts, however, have failed for now, with Bond Muir now confirming that W Series will not be accompanying Formula 1 either to Austin or Mexico.
"According to our regulations, we need six races to complete the championship," she is quoted by Algemeen Dagblad newspaper.
"We've had seven races, so yes, Jamie (Chadwick) is now the de-facto champion."
She admits that the series, said to be over 8 million euros in debt, simply ran out of money.
"We've had offers from a number of people, but the problem is that raising money doesn't happen by shaking a money tree," said Bond Muir.
"But I am extremely confident that W Series will still be there next year. We will definitely be racing again next year and hopefully in the United States."
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That's disappointing, no matter whether you think W was a good idea or not. 6/8M peanuts, Rb overspend that in a year
Junior series that are eligible for FIA super licence points are not allowed to have their champion return in the following year, however W Series has got around this rule without losing its eligibility
https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/f1/12598958/catherine-bond-muir-we-believe-there-should-parity-in-all-sports
Not being funny , but "Parity" means equal , not exactly Equal if 90% of your staff are Lulus, as for my first paragraph , another unfortunate showing of non Parity by getting around the Super licence Fia rules .
As for the Series collapsing, at Race 1, id have thought right, we've funding for a full season in place, OR whats changed. exchange rates/lost sponsors/Flav had his fingers in the till, I'm not sure?
The general public aren't interested in a W series. They are interested in F1, and to a lesser degree interested in F2 and F3, which are open and not biased to any gender.
The only way women will make headlines is if they achieve results in an open series that is not gender specific.
I mean, apart from those directly involved, who can name five drivers that compete in the W series? The only one I've heard of is Jamie Chadwick, thanks to this web site!
People said the same thing about Womens football and the WNBA in the states, "if they are good enough then they can compete in the regular series".
This is hugely disappointing.
Why not get rid of womens tennis, athletics etc. too? Just let everyone compete in the same competitions? Regardless of the facts that men and women are different physically.
As I say hugely disappointing. The fact that these attitudes are still sounded AND LIKED by other people and I know I'll get slated on this site for this comment.
Why would you get slated, perfectly reasonable post & I agree with you, keep it up.
I believe with world Snooker, Mr Hearn has made it so Ladies can compete with the men, alright its just holding a piece of wood in your hands, ok ok im not going to the joke that men have more practice
For now, at least.
Sad for the competitors, not because they are girls but because they are racing drivers. Re the 'W' series, IMO better to give support in the established lesser series to young women who truly WANT to race and have the talent. Plenty of competent girls out there.
Where is Lewis Hamilton. He is always banging on about diversity and inclusion in Formula One, so here is his chance to put his money where his mouth is, and be a hero and rescue it.
Nothing in for Lucy, even when he put his name formula extreme team , he couldn't even be bothered to support them, I won't mention watch trade marks
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