Channel 4 W Series live coverage
April 23, 2019
By Colin Mann
UK commercial PSB Channel 4 is to show live coverage of all six races of the new all-female W Series racing championship.
W Series will see 18 women from 13 countries compete in mechanically identical single-seater cars. The women have been chosen after an extensive selection process which assessed their abilities on the track.
The championship will feature British drivers Jamie Chadwick, Esmee Hawkey, Jessica Hawkins, Sarah Moore and Alice Powell.
“We’re thrilled to be bringing live coverage of the W Series to terrestrial audiences,” declared Channel 4 Commissioning Editor Sport Joe Blake-Turner. “Women have been under-represented in motor sport for far too long and who knows, this exciting format could be the first step towards producing a female Formula 1 champion in the not-too-distant future.”
“This is a historic moment for us,” remarked Catherine Bond Muir, CEO of W Series. “The UK, with its incredible love of motorsport, is a cornerstone market for W Series, and what better way to engage and entertain than with live coverage of our all-female single-seater racing.”
“Channel 4 is the ideal broadcast partner and we’re delighted to be working with them as we introduce the world to this exciting new concept.”
“I have had the privilege to work with Channel 4 as a Formula 1 commentator for many years and am thrilled that their appetite and enthusiasm for motorsport have grown to cover W Series too,” added ex-Formula 1 driver and multiple Grand Prix winner, and W Series Advisory Board Chairman, David Coulthard. “Channel 4’s experience with Formula 1 will prove invaluable as we work together to produce a compelling show for viewers, fans, partners and sponsors alike.”
The W Series on Channel 4 begins with the opening race at Hockenheim, Germany on May 4th. Coverage of the championship, which will also be available on All 4, will be produced by independent production company Whisper which also produces Channel 4’s F1 programming.