The 2019 W Series was the inaugural motor racing season of the W Series, an all-female Formula Regional-level racing series. [1]
55 drivers were initially entered in a qualifying longlist for the 2019 season, with a further six added later on. [2] [3] [4] An evaluation was held at the Wachauring in Melk, Austria over 26–28 January, with series judges—including David Coulthard, Alexander Wurz and Lyn St. James— [5] selecting a shortlist of drivers that would get to test the Tatuus–Alfa Romeo T-318. Drivers completed 10 'modules' that tested their skills in racecraft, fitness, media training and sponsorship pitches, before a final knockout series of races that would decide the 28 drivers that advanced to the next stage at the Circuito de Almería in Almería, Spain. [6] The final stage held over 22–27 March, which saw additional fitness testing and data analysis alongside traditional testing, would decide the 18-driver line-up as well as four additional substitute drivers who would be on standby in the event of a regular driver's absence.
The evaluation format drew mixed opinions from the competitors. Eliminated driver Charlotte Poynting labelled the process "confusing" and that the judges "obviously weren't looking for the fastest drivers", whereas compatriot Caitlin Wood claimed the evaluation was "as fair as they could make it". [7] [8]
All drivers competed with the Tatuus–Alfa Romeo F3 T-318 operated by Hitech GP and fitted with Hankook tires. [9]
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^1 – Megan Gilkes, normally a regular driver, was demoted to reserve driver duties at Round 4. Vivien Keszthelyi, normally a reserve driver, was promoted to regular driver duties at Round 4. [12]
A single championship race was held at six rounds of the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters, [13] with an additional non-championship race at TT Circuit Assen to test different event formats. [14]
Round | Circuit | Dates | Pole Position | Fastest Lap | Race Winner | Report |
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1 | Hockenheimring | 4 May | Jamie Chadwick | Miki Koyama | Jamie Chadwick | Report |
2 | Circuit Zolder | 18 May | Jamie Chadwick | Beitske Visser | Beitske Visser | Report |
3 | Misano World Circuit | 8 June | Fabienne Wohlwend | Beitske Visser | Jamie Chadwick | Report |
4 | Norisring | 6 July | Marta García | Emma Kimiläinen | Marta García | Report |
5 | TT Circuit Assen | 20 July | Emma Kimiläinen | Emma Kimiläinen | Emma Kimiläinen | Report |
NC | 21 July | Sabré Cook | Megan Gilkes | |||
6 | Brands Hatch | 11 August | Jamie Chadwick | Emma Kimiläinen | Alice Powell | Report |
Sources: [15] [16] |
Points were awarded to the top ten classified finishers as follows: [17]
Race Position | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Points | 25 | 18 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
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Bold – Pole |
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