It is almost two years since the chequered flag fell on W Series’ inaugural season at Brands Hatch in August 2019. But today, the roar of W Series’ race cars will be heard again as final preparations for season two begin with a pre-season test at the Anglesey Circuit.
Following the rescheduling of Formula 1’s French Grand Prix, the opening race of the 2021 W Series season will now take place in Spielberg, Austria on 26 June in support of the Styrian Grand Prix. With just 40 days until the lights go out at the Red Bull Ring, W Series’ drivers will be looking to make the most of this five-day test so that they can hit the ground running next month.
Following the rescheduling of Formula 1’s French Grand Prix, the opening race of the 2021 W Series season will now take place in Spielberg, Austria on 26 June in support of the Styrian Grand Prix. With just 40 days until the lights go out at the Red Bull Ring, W Series’ drivers will be looking to make the most of this five-day test so that they can hit the ground running next month.
The revised 2021 W Series race calendar, in partnership with Formula 1, is as follows:
- 26 June, Spielberg, Austria;
- 3 July, Spielberg, Austria;
- 17 July, Silverstone, UK;
- 31 July, Budapest, Hungary;
- 28 August, SPA-Francorchamps, Belgium;
- 4 September, Zandvoort, Netherlands;
- 23 October, Austin, USA;
- 30 October, Mexico City, Mexico.
- 26 June, Spielberg, Austria;
- 3 July, Spielberg, Austria;
- 17 July, Silverstone, UK;
- 31 July, Budapest, Hungary;
- 28 August, SPA-Francorchamps, Belgium;
- 4 September, Zandvoort, Netherlands;
- 23 October, Austin, USA;
- 30 October, Mexico City, Mexico.
Catherine Bond Muir, Chief Executive Officer of W Series said: "I am overjoyed that the waiting is finally over and our drivers are back on track for W Series’ second season. If you had told me when Alice Powell won our last race at Brands Hatch that I would have to wait 646 days to see our cars on track again, I wouldn’t have believed you because our first season was such a resounding success."
"The postponement of our second season actually gave us time to accelerate our plans, and we return bigger and better in 2021 and ready for a new era of racing. Today we are just 40 days away from the first race of our landmark new partnership with Formula 1, which demonstrates not only the power of our mission but the excitement of our racing too."
"This week’s pre-season test is essential preparation for the challenges that our drivers will face this season, and a reminder of how tough the season is going to be. I know that every one of them is relishing the prospect of getting behind the wheel of our cars and bringing the W Series mission back to life again."
As was the case in W Series’ inaugural season, all drivers will compete in Tatuus T-318 Formula 3 race cars, but with updated safety and reliability refinements. In addition, following feedback from fans and commentators in 2019, W Series is making it easier to follow the action and identify drivers by giving the cars distinctive liveries, some of which will be tested this week.
With the exception of South Africa’s Tasmin Pepper, 30, who is unable to attend the pre-season test due to travel restrictions, all of the drivers previously announced for the 2021 W Series season will be in Anglesey. They will be joined by the three additional drivers who have been invited to take part in the test:
Abbi Pulling, 18, UK
Gosia Rdest, 28, Poland
Caitlin Wood, 24, Australia
This week will also be the first time that Jamie Chadwick and Beitske Visser have shared track time since the dramatic conclusion to the 2019 season at Brands Hatch. Despite being overtaken for the final podium place by her title rival with three laps remaining, Chadwick held on to be crowned W Series’ inaugural champion in front of a packed crowd at the iconic Kent circuit.
Their thrilling fight for the title propelled both women into the upper tiers of motorsport. Britain’s Chadwick, 22, went on to compete in the Formula Regional European Championship and the new Extreme E series, while Dutchwoman Visser, 26, contested the 24 Hours of Le Mans after winning last summer’s W Series Esports League. Both women return to the W Series grid this year determined to get their hands on the top prize and the FIA Super Licence points that come with it.
Pre-season testing also gives the drivers their first sight of the brand new 2021 racewear, supplied by PUMA Motorsport, continuing as W Series’ Global Racewear Partner in 2021. Drivers will wear race suits which are designed specifically for the female form and provide the highest levels of protection.
Hankook, W Series’ 2021 Global Tyre Partner, will be bringing their high-performance Ventus Race F200 slick tyres for dry conditions and Z217 tyres for intermediate or wet conditions which, given Anglesey’s reputation for changeable weather, are unlikely to remain in the garage.
"The postponement of our second season actually gave us time to accelerate our plans, and we return bigger and better in 2021 and ready for a new era of racing. Today we are just 40 days away from the first race of our landmark new partnership with Formula 1, which demonstrates not only the power of our mission but the excitement of our racing too."
"This week’s pre-season test is essential preparation for the challenges that our drivers will face this season, and a reminder of how tough the season is going to be. I know that every one of them is relishing the prospect of getting behind the wheel of our cars and bringing the W Series mission back to life again."
With the exception of South Africa’s Tasmin Pepper, 30, who is unable to attend the pre-season test due to travel restrictions, all of the drivers previously announced for the 2021 W Series season will be in Anglesey. They will be joined by the three additional drivers who have been invited to take part in the test:
Abbi Pulling, 18, UK
Gosia Rdest, 28, Poland
Caitlin Wood, 24, Australia
This week will also be the first time that Jamie Chadwick and Beitske Visser have shared track time since the dramatic conclusion to the 2019 season at Brands Hatch. Despite being overtaken for the final podium place by her title rival with three laps remaining, Chadwick held on to be crowned W Series’ inaugural champion in front of a packed crowd at the iconic Kent circuit.
Their thrilling fight for the title propelled both women into the upper tiers of motorsport. Britain’s Chadwick, 22, went on to compete in the Formula Regional European Championship and the new Extreme E series, while Dutchwoman Visser, 26, contested the 24 Hours of Le Mans after winning last summer’s W Series Esports League. Both women return to the W Series grid this year determined to get their hands on the top prize and the FIA Super Licence points that come with it.
Hankook, W Series’ 2021 Global Tyre Partner, will be bringing their high-performance Ventus Race F200 slick tyres for dry conditions and Z217 tyres for intermediate or wet conditions which, given Anglesey’s reputation for changeable weather, are unlikely to remain in the garage.
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