Excitement building ahead of 2021 W Series season, partnered by Acronis

There may still be a fortnight to go before the 2021 W Series kicks off in earnest, but the excitement has been building ever since last year’s running was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic sweeping the world.

The inaugural season of the world’s first ever series for female drivers only was a roaring success, with Jamie Chadwick crowned champion.

Since the announcement that every round of the 2021 season would take place on Formula One weekends, beginning at Spielberg on June 26, the buzz and hype has been greater than ever before. And following a productive pre-season test in Anglesey, Wales, both organisers and drivers are raring to go.

“The postponement of our second season actually gave us time to accelerate our plans, and we return bigger and better in 2021 and ready for a new era of racing,” commented Catherine Bond Muir, Chief Executive Officer, W Series.

For defending champion Chadwick, the goal of winning a second title will be tougher than ever as she races in an even larger field of 20 female drivers as well as fulfilling her roles as Williams Racing development driver and Extreme E driver for team Veloce.

“Retaining the W Series title is the goal this season, but it will be tougher than in 2019,” said Chadwick. “The grid has more depth this year and the likes of Beitske Visser have gained lots of valuable experience in other series since the last W Series race nearly two years ago. Beitske will push me hard and be one of my main rivals for the title again.

“Through my work with Prema in the Formula Regional European Championship last year and my development driver role with the Williams F1 team, I have learnt so much about how to approach races and I hope that will make the difference this year. Racing at some of the best circuits in the world will be great but winning at them will be even better and that’s the aim.”

As was the case in W Series’ inaugural season, all drivers will compete in Tatuus T-318 Formula 3 race cars, but with updated safety and reliability refinements. The season also marks the first as a series title partner for Acronis, global leaders in Cyber Protection.