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All-female W Series to feature on F1's support bill in 2020

The all-female W Series has a closer alignment with Formula 1 as the last two races of the season will feature on F1’s support bill.

The United States Grand Prix and the Mexican Grand Prix will now also form part of the W Series’ double header to end what will be their second season, which features eight rounds running from May to October.

CEO, Catherine Bond Muir, said in an official statement: “We at W Series are absolutely delighted that, in only our second season, our championship has been welcomed by F1, and we’re utterly thrilled that the final two races of the 2020 W Series season will therefore take place as part of the F1 platform.

“Our two all-new races will follow six races on the DTM platform, making a very varied, extremely exciting and truly international eight-race championship, in eight countries across the globe."

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"I’m particularly pleased that W Series will now stage races outside Europe, and the USA and Mexico are of course both very important new territories for us.

“A lot of work has gone into stitching the W Series / Formula 1 deal together, but above all I want to thank W Series’ drivers, the brave and talented young women who captured the imagination of the sporting world last summer. Mark my words: they’ll do so again this year, from May to October, all over the world.”

A delighted addition

Ross Brawn, managing director of motorsport at F1, added: “We are delighted to welcome W Series to two such spectacular events of the 2020 FIA Formula 1 World Championship such as those in Austin and Mexico City. In just one year, W Series has contributed significantly to increasing interest in the topic of diversity and inclusion in motorsport.

“We are convinced that our sport must offer equal opportunities for men and women to compete together – it is no coincidence that improving the diversity of the F1 grid by supporting and promoting driver talent from under-represented backgrounds is one of our strategic objectives."

Brawn concludes: “The ability for the great crowds who traditionally attend the Austin and Mexico City Grands Prix to see these talented female drivers up close will definitely further raise the awareness of the importance of inclusion and diversity in motorsport.”

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