The third season of the W Series kicks off this weekend with a massive doubleheader at the brand new Miami Grand Prix.
There are big expectations and aspirations as the all-female racing series enters its biggest season to date. Two-time reigning champion Jamie Chadwick returns to defend the mantle as the only driver to take home the trophy, but this time for the newly former Jenner Racing team. The W Series will be the support race for Formula 1 this weekend as the FIA welcomes in the hotly anticipated Miami International Autodrome.
Season Preview Quick Guide
- After six races in year one and eight races last season, the W Series expands to 10 races this season. The schedule will visit three continents and eight tracks, with Miami and Mexico City doubleheaders at the start and end of the season.
- Every team uses the Formula 3 style car, with similar tires, putting the emphasis on the driver, their team and strategy.
- This season will feature 18 drivers across nine teams. However, there are no team standings as in F1.
- The roster this year includes five rookies – Tereza Babickova, Bianca Bustamante, Chloe Chambers, Emely De Heus, and Juju Noda.
𝗜𝗧'𝗦 𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗘 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞! It feels so good to be able to say that. 🤩
Title sponsor confirmed ✅
Driver line-up confirmed ✅
Miami vibes 😎 ✅Let’s go racing… 🏎#WSeries pic.twitter.com/GBIWRVIw3H
— W Series (@WSeriesRacing) May 2, 2022
2022 W Series Schedule
- Miami – May 7th
- Miami – May 8th
- Barcelona – May 21st
- Silverstone – July 3rd
- Paul Ricard – July 24th
- Hungaroring – July 31st
- Suzuka – October 9th
- Circuit of the Americas (COTA) – October 23rd
- Mexico City – October 29th
- Mexico City – October 30th
New team, new line-up, Jenner Racing is on the grid for 2022. 👊
2X #WSeries champ, @JamieChadwick vs newcomer, @ChloeCRacing, the fight for gold is on. 💪 pic.twitter.com/8IHefxZCza
— W Series (@WSeriesRacing) May 2, 2022
Speaking to Reuters in the lead up to this weekend W Series founder Catherine Bond Muir stated, “Unquestionably, Miami is going to be the biggest race we’ve had. The incoming commercial interest and also the incoming media interest, is just like nothing we’ve had before.”
That quote says it all. Last season was important because it brought the continuation after the COVID break. The 2021 season-ender in Austin, TX saw huge support. The expectation is that Miami easily eclipses that.
And to be fair the W Series has a lot going for it at the moment. They get to debut the new Miami Grand Prix circuit. There are new media deals across the globe. The interest in F1 in America is surging and those eyes will get to see the W Series. For many, it will likely be for the first time. The doubleheader, like in F2/F3/Formula E gives the start of the season an extra push. Double the points, double the racing, double the impact. How much can the series grow in season three? The second visit to America in October might just provide that answer.
How to Watch (all times in EDT)
- Practice: Friday 5/6 – 4:00 pm – W Series YouTube Channel.
- Qualifying: Saturday 5/7- 9:40 am – ESPN News / ESPN3
- Round 1: Saturday 5/7 – 2:30 pm – ESPN News / ESPN 3 / ESPN Deportes
- Round 2: Sunday 5/8 – 10:35 am – ESPN2 / ESPN Deportes
In Other News: Indy Grand Prix of Alabama: O’Ward surges as Andretti teammates clash
Main Image Credit: Embed from Getty Images
