The all-women’s W Series rehearsals in Arizona aim to get women back in the Formula One driver’s seat

When Jamie Chadwick got behind the wheel of a formula one car for the first time, the moment highlighted both the promise of progress and the historic stagnation of women in one of the most famous categories. of motorsport.

Chadwick, a two-time all-women W Series champion, is a development driver for Williams Racing’s Formula One team. In August 2021, 23-year-old Chadwick drove the former Formula 1 driver’s single-seater Keke Rosberg used in the 1982 season. It was six years after Italy Lella Lombardi featured as Formula One’s ultimate female driver.

“It’s really special [to get my debut] even if it’s not in a modern car; it’s very special for any young rider,” said Chadwick shortly before taking to the track for her drive last summer.

While Chadwick has always been focused on forming a Formula 1 team, the W Series is testing 15 potential female drivers through Friday at Inde Motorsports ranch in southeastern Arizona before the 2022 season begins. in an ongoing effort to diversify fields of participation. .

According to the FIA, the governing body for motorsport, only 1.5% of the total number of drivers participating in the competition are women. Over the past decade, efforts to develop talent and bridge the gap have resulted in a number of remarkable stories. From 2012 to 2015, Susie Wolff served as a development promoter for Williams. In 2018, Colombia’s Tatiana Calderon became the first Latin American woman to drive a formula one car, testing the Sauber model on Mexico City’s Autodromo Rodriguez track for 23 laps. Calderon, a driver for AJ Foyt Racing, will be the first IndyCar female driver to compete regularly in the circuit since 2013.

The W Series, created in 2018, aims to build on those modest successes and work towards promoting a female racer to the upper echelons of the sport. In the 2021 season, 20 drivers from 13 countries competed for the title. Chadwick and Alice Powell, both from the UK, have dominated the field, winning seven of eight races between them. The 2022 season runs from May to October.

Ready for another day in the desert? We are. 💪#WSeries pic.twitter.com/Ik5CZQEpWq

– W Series (@WSeriesRacing) February 2, 2022

For many participants, the practice session is the biggest opportunity to crystallize their dream of joining a professional race after years of hard work.

“I get goosebumps [thinking about] Maite Caceres, a 19-year-old driver from Uruguay, says he will one day race in Formula One. race must be in a lap like the W Series. “

Caceres is aiming to become the second driver to represent Latin America in the W Series, after Brazil’s Bruna Tomaselli. Caceres’ father, Fernando, is a former professional racing driver and is currently the main promoter of the Formula E Punta del Este Grand Prix in Uruguay. Her brother, Juan Ignacio, auditioned with the Minardi Formula One team in 2005.

Despite his lineage, Caceres said starting his own racing career was tough work.

“My family didn’t want me to race,” Caceres said. “I beg [my parents] for several years. When they finally agreed, I was delighted. “

After an early string of success in cycling, Caceres was selected to try out the W Series, entering a global field of riders from four continents and ranging in age from 15 to 27. Ultimately, the stated goal for the W Series is to uncover talent from areas that have historically been underrepresented.

“The purpose of this test was to get to know a new group of drivers and understand what they are capable of as we finalize our 2022 driver lineup and look to the future,” said W Series Racing Director, Dave Ryan said in a statement. “While some may take another year or two to race in the W Series, this is their chance to show off their skills.”

Early profits proved to be fruitful. After the 2020 W Series season was wiped out because of the COVID-19 pandemic, a silver prize emerged as the league officially partnered with Formula One. For the 2021 season, all eight races on the W Series calendar are held on tracks used by Formula One. With Chadwick leading the way as a candidate to become the first female Formula 1 driver since 1976, the hope is that other drivers will show up to make their shot on the prestigious circuit. the sport’s best price sooner rather than later.

“I think it’s a great opportunity to bring us to that dream of being in Formula One which isn’t crazy,” Caceres said.