The highly anticipated third season of the W Series is set to ignite this weekend, holding the esteemed honor of being the inaugural championship to race on the brand-new Miami International Autodrome. This all-female single-seater junior series embarks on its most ambitious chapter yet, showcasing a refreshed grid of aspiring talent against the backdrop of one of motorsport’s most exciting new venues. The Miami Grand Prix weekend provides the perfect stage for W Series to reaffirm its commitment to empowering female drivers and propelling them towards the pinnacle of motorsport.
The journey to this moment has been marked by both rapid growth and unforeseen challenges. Launched in 2019, the championship faced an immediate hurdle when the global Covid-19 pandemic forced a year-long hiatus in 2020. Despite this setback, W Series made a triumphant return in 2021, elevated to the prestigious status of a Formula 1 support series. While the ongoing pandemic necessitated some calendar adjustments, the series successfully completed its season, cementing its position within the top tier of international motorsport events.
The 2022 Season: An Ambitious Championship and Fierce Competition
For its third competitive season, W Series is poised for its longest championship to date, featuring an expanded calendar and a vibrant mix of seasoned competitors and promising newcomers. The series continues its mission to identify, nurture, and promote the next generation of female racing talent, providing a crucial platform for drivers to hone their skills and gain invaluable experience on iconic circuits around the globe. This year promises an even more intense battle for the title, with every driver eager to make their mark.
The Reigning Champion: Jamie Chadwick’s Quest for a Third Crown
All eyes will be on Jamie Chadwick, who returns to defend her two consecutive W Series titles. Chadwick, already established as the series’ most dominant force, seeks to claim an unprecedented third championship, a feat that would unequivocally solidify her status as the leading female single-seater racer in the world. Her continued presence in the series offers a unique dynamic: while she strives for further glory, she simultaneously serves as the ultimate benchmark for every other driver on the grid. For her rivals, beating Chadwick is not just about winning a race; it’s about proving their potential and demonstrating their readiness to climb the motorsport ladder.
The challenge for Chadwick, and indeed for the W Series as a whole, lies in the need for its top talent to progress into higher categories. The series’ CEO, Catherine Bond-Muir, acknowledges this crucial aspect, stating that if drivers are “sufficiently quick, they are going to be picked up by other series.” Chadwick’s previous attempts to secure an FIA Formula 3 seat, reportedly hindered by a lack of funds despite interest from teams, underscore the financial barriers that still exist for even the most accomplished female drivers. The W Series aims to bridge this gap, but the ultimate success of its mission will be measured by its ability to consistently propel its stars into top-tier racing opportunities.
A Fresh Wave of Talent: The 2022 W Series Driver Line-up
The 2022 driver line-up is an exciting blend of familiar faces and fresh talent, carefully curated to ensure a competitive and diverse grid. Alongside formidable returnees like Beitske Visser, Alice Powell, and Emma Kimilainen – drivers who have consistently challenged Chadwick in previous seasons – the series has welcomed several notable additions, breathing new life into the championship hunt. These established contenders will be eager to reverse their fortunes and mount a serious title challenge, drawing on their experience and refined race craft.
Strategic Shift Towards Youth and Global Outreach
This season marks a significant evolution in W Series’ driver selection strategy. Following a rigorous new process that included an extensive test in Arizona in February, the championship actively sought candidates from diverse backgrounds and, crucially, aimed to lower the average age of its competitors. W Series CEO Catherine Bond-Muir explained the rationale during the Arizona test: “When we set up a series in 2019 we invited applicants from all over the world. We had probably 100 fairly serious applicants and we took 68 of those applicants to do a four-day test in Austria. We feel as though we’re beyond that now and what we want to do is find the drivers who are actually doing really interesting stuff.”
This deliberate pivot towards youth and a broader talent search is a testament to the series’ long-term vision. Bond-Muir emphasized, “What we’ve got to be is a series that is finding young talent, and that is why we have purposefully gone for a much younger profile because if we can get the really good ones who are naturally incredibly quick, what is happening is that people are all over the world is starting to look at W Series.” The goal is clear: to become a definitive pathway for young, fast female drivers, ensuring they are identified and supported early in their careers.
Pioneering Newcomers and Notable Returns
The new selection process has brought several exciting prospects to the fore. Bianca Bustamante, a standout from the Arizona test, makes history as the first Filipino driver to compete in W Series. Her inclusion highlights the series’ expanding global reach and its commitment to unearthing talent from traditionally underrepresented regions in motorsport. Another remarkable addition is Juju Noda, who became the youngest-ever competitor in the series after turning 16 during the Arizona test. Noda arrives with a strong motorsport lineage, being the daughter of three-time F1 race starter Hideki Noda, and her raw talent and precocious speed have already garnered significant attention.
Among the returning drivers, Jessica Hawkins is keen to make a fresh start in her third W Series season. Coming off a victory in her first UK TCR weekend, Hawkins brings a renewed sense of confidence. Despite the vast differences between a TCR car and a W Series single-seater, she told RaceFans that the win “has given me a boat load of confidence going into it, which is probably exactly what I need.” Hawkins, who also serves as a driver ambassador for the Aston Martin F1 Team, is determined to improve on her 11th-place finish last year, aiming for stronger results with a “new me, a fresh outlook, a different attitude.”
Abbi Pulling, an Alpine Academy associate driver, earns a full-time race seat after her impressive performances as a reserve driver last year. Pulling’s progression within the Alpine program is closely tied to her showing this season, as she hopes to secure a full academy role. Her journey exemplifies the ladder that W Series aims to provide for its talents.
The grid also sees the welcome return of Abbie Eaton, who endured a lengthy recovery after suffering spinal injuries during the final round at COTA last year. Her resilience and determination to return to racing are truly inspiring. Meanwhile, Ayla Agren, a competitor in the 2021 season, will take on the crucial role of reserve driver for 2022, ready to step in when needed.
| Driver | Team | |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Juju Noda | W Series Academy |
| 91 | Bianca Bustamante | W Series Academy |
| 22 | Belen Garcia | Quantfury |
| 32 | Nerea Marti | Quantfury |
| 26 | Sarah Moore | Scuderia W |
| 44 | Abbie Eaton | Scuderia W |
| 4 | Emely de Heus | Sirin |
| 95 | Beitske Visser | Sirin |
| 8 | Chloe Chambers | Jenner |
| 55 | Jamie Chadwick | Jenner |
| 7 | Emma Kimilainen | Puma |
| 63 | Tereza Babickova | Puma |
| 21 | Jessica Hawkins | Bristol Street Motors |
| 27 | Alice Powell | Bristol Street Motors |
| 5 | Fabienne Wohlwend | CortDAO |
| 19 | Marta Garcia | CortDAO |
| 49 | Abbi Pulling | Racing X |
| 7 | Bruna Tomaselli | Racing X |
| 17 | Ayla Agren | Reserve |
The 2022 W Series Calendar: Navigating an Expanded Global Schedule
The 2022 W Series calendar reflects the championship’s growing ambition, featuring an expanded ten-race schedule designed to maximize exposure and competitive opportunities. Building on the success of the double-header season finale at the 2021 US Grand Prix, this year’s championship opens in Miami and culminates with another thrilling double-header. The calendar sees three races in May, three in July, and then a significant break before a hectic four-race finale in November.
While the long breaks might offer drivers opportunities to compete in other series, they also present a challenge. Maintaining peak performance and familiarity with the W Series car can be difficult after extended periods away from competitive racing, especially given the series’ relatively short track time per race weekend. Drivers will need to devise innovative ways to keep their skills sharp and remain race-ready throughout the season.
Challenges and Innovations in Logistics
As an F1 support series, W Series’ calendar is intrinsically linked to the Formula 1 schedule, meaning it shares track time with other junior categories like Formula 2 and Formula 3. This often leads to intense competition for grid slots and track access. At venues such as Barcelona and Silverstone, where all three series will be running concurrently, there’s a heightened risk of delays or even missed sessions should any on-track incidents occur.
Despite these logistical complexities, W Series has developed ingenious solutions to manage its global footprint without incurring the prohibitive costs of air freight. To facilitate its fly-away races and ensure efficient transportation, the series will strategically utilize identical chassis provided by New Zealand’s Toyota Racing Series. This innovative approach means a temporary switch from Alfa Romeo to Toyota power units for the rounds at Barcelona and Suzuka, demonstrating the series’ adaptability and commitment to delivering a truly international championship.
| Round | Date | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Miami International Autodrome | 7th May |
| 2 | Miami International Autodrome | 8th May |
| 3 | Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya | 21st May |
| 4 | Silverstone | 3rd July |
| 5 | Paul Ricard | 24th July |
| 6 | Hungaroring | 31st July |
| 7 | Suzuka | 9th October |
| 8 | Circuit of the Americas | 23rd October |
| 9 | Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez | 29th October |
| 10 | Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez | 30th October |
As the W Series prepares for its historic debut in Miami and an expansive global calendar, the excitement is palpable. This season represents a pivotal moment for the championship, promising intense on-track action, compelling driver narratives, and a continued dedication to its core mission: to provide a powerful platform for female talent in motorsport. With a dynamic mix of established champions and ambitious newcomers, the 2022 W Series is set to deliver an unforgettable season, further cementing its role as an essential stepping stone towards a more inclusive and diverse future in racing.