W Series Sadly Files For Administration But The Push For Women In F1 Continues

The W Series, an all-female racing championship, is now in administration after facing financial troubles, with prospects of its return in the future.

It has sadly been revealed that the exclusively all-female racing championship, the W Series has unfortunately filed for administration.

This comes less than a year after when its third season had to be cut short due to monetary constraints.

Launched back in 2019, the W Series was initially part of the DTM's support bill and held its debut season in the same year. With the COVID-19 pandemic causing the cancellation of the 2020 season, the series bounced back, this time joining the Formula 1 support bill. 

Nonetheless, the 2022 season faced a premature end due to issues with raising funds, leading to British driver Jamie Chadwick bagging her third consecutive title post the Singapore round in September. The series was optimistic about its 2023 return, expressing its extreme confidence about a fourth season.

However, recent developments saw Kevin Ley and Henry Shinners from Evelyn Partners LLP being appointed Joint Administrators on Wednesday. According to the administrators, only a solitary staff member remained on board, who has now been laid off. They also stated their intention to "explore all available options to allow the W Series to restart in the future.”

Ley commented:

“The news will be upsetting for the Company’s employees and drivers together with the worldwide supporters of the championship.

“The Company had been unable to commit to the 2023 race season due to its liquidity position.

“The directors had been in discussions with various parties to provide additional funding together with a potential sale of the business.

“Unfortunately, these discussions did not progress.”

In addition, Shinners assured:

“The Joint Administrators will explore all available options to allow the W Series to restart in the future.

“We are seeking expressions of interest in the business and assets of the Company. We would ask that any interest is registered with us as quickly as possible.

“Staff had been made redundant or had left the business before our appointment and it has unfortunately been necessary to make the remaining staff member redundant.

“The Joint Administrators will be looking to support any staff impacted by the Administration, given the financial position of the Company, with making and progressing any claims with the Redundancy Payments Office.”

There is still a big push to bring more women into motorsport, with the F1 Academy which is in its first season. The aim of the F1 Academy, who boasts Susie Wolff as its managing director, is to help bring more women into the feeder series for Formula 1 with it being the level of Formula 4. Wolff has said that she foresees it taking a decade to get a woman into F1.

Although it is a sad day for the W Series, this is not the end of the fight to bring women into the motorsport world. Watch this space.