W Series preselects 28 drivers

The brand new W Series championship, reserved only for women and founded at the end of 2018, continues its selection process. This Monday, January 28, a list of 28 pilots was revealed following a battery of tests and trials. 

These 28 young women can continue to claim one of 18 steering wheels in W Series, the championship contested on Tatuus F-318 chassis, as a curtain-raiser to the DTM starting next spring.

The list of pre-selected drivers:

Sarah Bovy, Belgium

Jamie Chadwick, United Kingdom 

Saber Cook, United States

Natalie Decker, United States

Marta Garcia, Spain

Megan Gilkes, Canada

Grace Gui, China  

Esmee Hawkey, United Kingdom

Jessica Hawkins, United Kingdom

Shea Holbrook, United States

Francesca Linossi, Italy 

Vivien Keszthelyi, Hungary

Emma Kimilainen, Finland

Natalia Kowalska, Poland

Stephane Kox, Netherlands

Miki Koyama, Japan

Snowy Mets, Netherlands

Sarah Moore, United Kingdom

Tasmin Pepper, South Africa

Vicky Piria, Italy

Alice Powell, United Kingdom

Gosia Rdest, Poland 

Naomi Schiff, Belgium

Shirley Van Der Lof, Netherlands

Beitske Visser, Netherlands

Alexandra Whitley, Australia 

Fabienne Wohlwend, Liechtenstein

Caitlin Wood, Australia 

This group of drivers was retained after three days of testing in Melk (Austria) under the supervision of former drivers such as David Coulthard and Alexander Wurz. “I was immensely impressed by the commitment and attitude of all the participants, remark “DC”. 

Today is the day!
As we prepare for the final tests ahead of our driver selection announcement, take a look at the story so far. pic.twitter.com/2gjdd735GU

- W Series (@WSeriesRacing) 28th January 2019

My attention will turn to the tests on the Almeria track (Spain), because it is there that the next step is awaited. »

W Series Race Director Dave Ryan confirms: “The next few weeks will be crucial for them. They will have to focus on their strength and physique, because single-seaters are difficult to drive. But we wouldn't have chosen them if we didn't believe in their ability to drive single-seaters. »

Let us specify that among this list, some names are already well known in the paddocks : Beitske Visser participated in Formula V8 3.5 in 2016 (on a car much heavier and more powerful than the Tatuus F3), Caitlin Wood competes in the Blancpain GT Series, and Jamie Chadwick competed in Formula 3 English.