Tatuus iMagazine

10 by Jacopo Rubino The 2019 season already made it to the history books of motor racing. The W Series will be remembered for being the World’s first all- female racing championship, an ambitious and revolutionary project, which involved former F1 David Coulthard among many other important personalities. The goal is to offer more career opportunities to women drivers who struggle to emerge against the male majority despite their potential. For this endeavour, the promoters selected the Tatuus T-318 racecar, powered by Alfa Romeo engines prepared by Autotecnica. This is the same all-Italian package adopted by F3 Asia and Formula Regional Europe. To ensure the greatest possible balance, without team disparity, the technical management was completely delegated to Hitech, the same structure that dominated Asian Formula 3. Well over 100 requests for registration were sent during the winter, highlighting the immediate interest in the initiative. Then, there was an intense field selection process to identify the 18 competitors to be admitted to competition. After the two-day internship at Wachauring, in Austria, which proved useful for assessing the athletic and mental aspects, the March test in Almeria was decisive. The 28 finalists faced each other the Tatuus machinery. At the end of a six-race schedule, British racer Jamie Chadwick is crowned champion. She was the only competitor to take home two wins, in the Hockenheim opener and at Misano, while keeping herself on the podium. Her first contender was Beitske Visser, who was seen as a favourite due to her past resume. She won in Zolder: the Dutchwoman stayed in the game until the Brands Hatch finale, ending up just 10 points away. Spaniard Marta Garcia also celebrated on the top step on the podium at Norisring, while Finn Emma Kimilainen won at Assen. The other British star, Alice Powell, won at her home round ending up third in standings. The only Italian at the start was Vicky Piria, who secured a 5th place in Italy as her best result. Ninth in standings, she made it to the top- 12 in standings which worths a transfer spot to the next season. The same accomplishment was achieved by Fabienne Wohwlend, Miki Koyama, Sarah Moore, Tasmin Pepper and, at a last gasp, Jessica Hawkins and Sabre Cook. For all the other female racers, the 2020 selection will reopen in September. The W Series wants to grow up further.