Fraser MasefieldAlice Powell jumped to the top of the W Series standings and sent the packed home grandstands into raptures, winning the Silverstone round from Fabienne Wohlwend and compatriot Jamie Chadwick.
“I’ve attended so many British Grands Prix as a kid and to experience it from this side and winning your home grand prix is amazing, so thank you to every single fan out there for the support, it’s absolutely amazing,” said the victorious Powell afterward.
Ferrari Trento showers anyone? 🚿
Podium celebrations never disappoint, thanks to @FerrariTrento. 🍾#WSeriesSilverstone 🇬🇧 #WSeries #F1 pic.twitter.com/YaUgLgvpKZ
— W Series (@WSeriesRacing) July 17, 2021
“It wasn’t the best of starts, as you can tell from me. Not a great launch and I was behind Fabienne until the Safety Car. I knew that we had the pace and we were faster, it was just trying to make a move and then luckily for me she made a small error and managed to sneak through and then it was just about bringing it home.”
Starting from pole position, Powell had to do things the hard way as Wohlwend got a brilliant start, taking the lead and holding it through two yellow flag periods.
With Silverstone’s long sweeping corners and straights and no benefit of pit stops or DRS, opportunities were always going to be few and far between. But following a late full safety car with just seven minutes remaining, the Bunker Racing driver made a rare mistake in locking up at Club Corner and Powell needed no second invitation, diving through and into the lead.
#WSeriesSilverstone reaction. 🗣
Here’s what your race winner @alicepowell had to say. 🤩 #WSeries 🇬🇧 #F1 pic.twitter.com/tGJBeeBkBA
— W Series (@WSeriesRacing) July 17, 2021
“Of course it’s hard to lose a race like this but I had a mega start and it was so much fun,” reflected Wohlwend. “After the Safety Car I just missed the braking point, lost the front wheel and knew that was probably it. Alice was super quick, so well done, great drive.”
Emma Kimilainen came home in fourth ahead of Nera Marti as a fabulous late scrap saw Bietske Visser pass Sarah Moore for sixth place, Abbi Pulling, Abbie Eaton and Jessica Hawkins rounding out the top ten.
In taking her second victory of the season, Powell leapfrogs Chadwick for the lead of the championship but there is only four points between them and with five rounds still remaining.
“It was a bit quieter for me back in third and we just didn’t have the pace to challenge those two. They were super fast today. It is what it is but happy to be on the podium.
“I would have loved to have won here but to be on the podium and see everyone here because I’ve never experienced anything like this and an atmosphere like this. So happy to be here and happy to be on the podium.”
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A nice podium finish on home soil for @JamieChadwick. 🏆
Still in that title fight. 🤘#WSeriesSilverstone 🇬🇧 #WSeries #F1 pic.twitter.com/QRLOTSUlJU
— W Series (@WSeriesRacing) July 17, 2021
A fantastic home race here at Silverstone, with a Brit on the top step of the podium! 🤩
Here's a look at the provisional race results. ⬇️#WSeriesSilverstone 🇬🇧 #WSeries #F1 pic.twitter.com/M1couos2sk
— W Series (@WSeriesRacing) July 17, 2021
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