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LONDON (Reuters) – The women’s-only W Series will connect to Formula 1 next season and beyond with eight support races on Grand Prix weekends, organizers said Thursday.
The series started in 2019 but canceled races this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
No details were given as to where the women would compete, although this year they were expected to take part in Grand Prix races in Mexico and the United States.
“When we promised that the W Series would be bigger and better in the future, partnership with Formula 1 has always been our ultimate goal,” said founder and CEO Catherine Bond Muir in a statement.
“There is no doubt that, now that the W Series will be run alongside and in partnership with Formula 1, our global reach, impact and influence will be significantly increased.”
Briton Jamie Chadwick was the inaugural champion of the series, which featured six rounds in support of the German Touring Car Championship (DTM).
The series, which uses identical 1.8-liter Formula Three cars, will be entitled to points for an FIA super license required to race in Formula One.
Formula 1, which this week released a draft 2021 calendar with a record 23 races from Australia in March to Abu Dhabi in December, has not had a female driver compete in a grand prix since Italy’s Lella Lombardi in 1976.
“It’s a really important moment for us to welcome Series W as a partner for eight races this season,” said Formula 1 chief executive for motorsport Ross Brawn. “They have been a beacon for many since they started racing in 2019.
“We believe it is incredibly important to give everyone the opportunity to reach the highest levels of our sport and their partnership with Formula 1 next season shows our determination and commitment to showcase their exciting series and the importance of build greater diversity in this sport “.
Reporting by Alan Baldwin, editing by Toby Davis
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