The W Series will act as a support category at select grands prix in 2021 as part of its return in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
W Series was formed in 2019, with Williams-backed Jamie Chadwick winning the title, and was a support series on the DTM package.
It was due to remain largely with DTM for 2020 but was set to branch out to join Formula 1 events in the United States and Mexico.
But the championship’s entire 2020 season was canned due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
However discussions have been ongoing between Formula 1 and the W Series over holding rounds at grands prix and this has been facilitated by the split Formula 2 and Formula 3 calendars.
On Thursday it was announced that eight W Series races will be held at Formula 1 grands prix through 2021 – the exact locations and structure of the weekend to be determined in due course.
“After such a successful inaugural season [2019], we at W Series are absolutely delighted to be partnering with Formula 1 for 2021 and beyond,” said W Series CEO Catherine Bond Muir.
“Formula 1 is by some margin the world’s premier motor racing series, and, when we promised that W Series would be bigger and better in the future, partnering with Formula 1 was always our ultimate objective.
“There is no doubt that, now that W Series will be run alongside and in collaboration with Formula 1, our global reach, impact and influence will be increased significantly.
“Everything that made W Series so popular and successful in 2019 will remain.
“The cars will be identical, the racing will be close and competitive, and our mission will always be to further the interests and prospects of female racing drivers.
“We want W Series to entertain, and entertain it will. But we also want it to become a crucial default-option stepping stone for any female racing driver who wants to carve out a professional racing career, and our proximity to Formula 1 will help and enhance that process.
“The fact that W Series is now eligible for FIA Super Licence points will also be an important factor in that regard.”
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