Channel 4 to continue W Series coverage in 2021

Live coverage of the W Series, the international single-seater motor racing championship for female drivers, will remain on Channel 4 for the 2021 season.

The free-to-air broadcaster, which covered the inaugural series in 2019, will again screen every race live throughout the eight-race schedule in 2021, with the series featuring on the Formula 1 support race schedule for the first time.

Channel 4 confirmed the announcement on-air in a special trail for the 2021 season during its Monaco Grand Prix coverage in May.

The 2021 W Series starts on 26 June at the Red Bull Ring, supporting the Styrian Grand Prix. Further races follow at some of the world’s most iconic racing circuits in Europe and the Americas, including Silverstone, Spa-Francorchamps and Zandvoort.

With Channel 4 also broadcasting Formula 1 highlights, as well live coverage of the British Grand Prix, fans will be able to watch the world’s best male and female racing drivers in action in one place on free-to-air television.

Live coverage of every qualifying session and race will be shown across Channel 4’s TV and online platforms, as well as available to watch live or later on-demand via All 4.

Each race day programme on Channel 4 will feature every lap live and uninterrupted, along with all the build-up, qualifying highlights and paddock insights from an all-star presentation team. 

In line with the series’ mission to promote diversity in motorsport, the W Series world feed on-air team will consist of equal numbers of women and men, with Lee McKenzie, David Coulthard and Ted Kravitz – who presented W Series’ inaugural season in 2019 – returning to the coverage for 2021.

They will be joined throughout the season by Anna Woolhouse, Amy Reynolds, Billy Monger and Naomi Schiff, who drove for W Series in 2019, while Alex Jacques leads the commentary team.

Whisper, who produce Channel 4’s F1 coverage, will continue to be responsible for the W Series world feed programming.

More @WSeriesRacing coming up on @Channel4 soon…#WSeries #RethinkRacing. pic.twitter.com/SlSR2xKum3

— Channel 4 F1® (@C4F1) May 23, 2021

W Series is a free-to-enter motor racing championship, which provides equal opportunities for women and eliminates the financial barriers that have historically prevented them from progressing to the upper tiers of motorsport.

All W Series’ cars and corresponding equipment are identical, ensuring that the races and championships are won by the most talented drivers, rather than those with the wealthiest backers or the fastest cars.

Commenting on Channel 4’s coverage of the championship, Catherine Bond Muir, chief executive officer of the W Series, said:

“I am delighted that W Series’ founding broadcast partner, Channel 4, has reinforced its commitment to showcasing women’s sport and our talented racing drivers.

Live free-to-air motorsport coverage is rare, but our partnership with Channel 4 is a key part of W Series’ plan to create more visible role models to inspire girls and women to be a part of motorsport, whether that is on track, on screen or behind the scenes, and the expertise and insight provided by our brilliant commentary team will be instrumental to our efforts.”

13-time F1 winner David Coulthard, Channel 4 F1 commentator and chairman of the W Series’ advisory board, said:

“The interest in W Series’ inaugural season was remarkable and it will only increase this year when W Series races in partnership with Formula 1. With the world watching, the pressure on the drivers will increase this season and I’m looking forward to being part of the commentary team which brings to life their inspirational stories and skills.”

According to a Futures Sport data analysis report in 2019, the W Series was the second most-watched women’s sport on UK television that year, behind football, when Channel 4 showed live coverage of the inaugural season.

Louisa Compton, head of news, current affairs and sport at Channel 4, added:

“W Series aligns brilliantly with Channel 4 – it’s exciting, bold and breaking down barriers. I’m sure viewers will relish the opportunity to watch this exciting season of top motorsport as it unfolds on Channel 4.”

Scroll down for full details of the 2021 W Series calendar, with all races live on Channel 4. Further details about the series can be found via the official website – wseries.com.

For a full list of all forthcoming major motorsport events on the box, visit SOTB’s dedicated motorsport on TV listings page.

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