Formula Woman Explained

Formula Woman, which was known as the Privilege Insurance Formula Woman Championship for sponsorship reasons, is a female-only one make racing series started in 2004 in the UK. It was inspired by the lack of female drivers in other series and was created, amongst other reasons, to boost the female audience of the sport.[1] [2]

In November 2020 it was announced that Formula Woman would be making a come-back in 2021.[3]

2004–2006

In 2004, all 16 drivers raced Mazda RX-8s over seven rounds around four British racing circuits. For 2005, support was dropped by Mazda and instead drivers competed in Caterham 7s.

2004

The inaugural season of Formula Woman was based around a television series on ITV. Thousands of women applied to join, with ultimately 17 drivers being chosen to compete. Experienced motoring journalist Vicki Butler-Henderson hosted the ITV show,[4] while racing drivers Katherine Legge and Tim Harvey were both part of the judging panel. Legge left for unknown reasons early into the selection process.

Race calendar

RoundCircuitDateRace Winner
1 Oulton Park12 June Natasha Firman
212 June Natasha Firman
3 Knockhill Racing Circuit27 June Margo Gardner
427 June Margo Gardner
5 Cadwell Park4 July Lorraine Pinner
6 Brands Hatch25 July Lorraine Pinner
725 July Lorraine Pinner

Championship standings

The 2004 championship was won by Natasha Firman.[5]

PosDriverPts
1Natasha Firman215
2Lorraine Pinner209
3Bev Tyler161
4Juliette Thurston146
5Emma Hayles122
6Margo Gardner112
7Pippa Cow104
8Lauren Blighton94
9Nicola Robertson80
10Judith Lyons74
11Sarah Bennet-Baggs73
12Amy Handford70
13Victoria Hardy63
14Max Thompson47
15Catherine Gard31
16Joanna Linton28
17Karen Andrews20

2005

Formula Woman returned in 2005 using Caterham 7's after Mazda withdrew support. The series was run as a Nations Cup. Natalie Butler from England won the 2005 Championship.

Entry list

NationDriver
Emma Hayles
Annie Templeton
Natalie Butler
Margo Gardner
Rachel Owen
Jennifer Daniel
Jennifer Murray
Nettan Lindgren
Anna Walewska
Lauren Gray
Amanda Hennessy
Theresia Balk

Following the end of the season in November, a novices race weekend was held at Pembrey, South Wales, using exclusive Caterham 7 race cars, with a record 62 women competing.[6] The four race winners were automatically given entry to the 2006 Formula Woman championship.

Novice Race winners

NationDriver
Amanda Elliott
Michelle Nixon
Lucy Redding
Amanda Black

2006

The series continued in 2006, again using the Caterham 7 car but without any television coverage. Ultimately, Nikki Welsby won the championship.[7]

The series was not renewed for 2007.

2021–present

In November 2020, it was announced that Formula Woman would be making a come-back. The series opened for applicants in March 2021 with a view to the series starting in the autumn of the same year with an accompanying television package.[8] The new competition prize will offer winners the opportunity to race a McLaren 570S GT4 in the British GT Cup Championship that 16 drivers will compete for.[9]

The series secured major sponsorship including McLaren, Trade Centre, Vauxhall, and many more.[10]

Test days have taken place at circuits including Knockhill and Anglesey Circuit.[11] As of December 2021, the assessments for the final driver decisions were on-going following a test day at Bedford Autodrome using Vauxhall Corsa-e cars.[12]

In March 2022, the competition progressed to select 15 finalists from 70, with more selections involving a track kart test at Croft to achieve 10, followed by a future final race for four contestants.[13] [14] [15]

See also

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Speedqueens: Formula Woman . 14 September 2010 .
  2. Web site: Magazine / Sport : On the fast track. https://web.archive.org/web/20180924155539/https://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mag/2005/04/03/stories/2005040300180200.htm. dead. 2018-09-24. The Hindu. 2005-04-03. 2016-08-07.
  3. Web site: Formula Woman set to return next year . 20 November 2020 .
  4. Web site: Mates sponsors Formula Woman reality TV show .
  5. Web site: Privilege Insurance Formula Woman Championship 2004 standings | Driver Database .
  6. Web site: Racy Women Set New World Record . 2024-05-10 . www.carpages.co.uk.
  7. Web site: Speedqueens: Formula Woman . 14 September 2010 .
  8. Web site: Formula Woman is Back! .
  9. Web site: McLaren Customer Racing to provide GT4 Race Cars for Formula Woman Winners .
  10. Web site: Partners .
  11. Web site: Trade Centre thrilled to support TV's Formula Woman - the Trade Centre UK .
  12. Web site: Formula Woman Assessments Conclude with the Vauxhall Corsa-e Excelling .
  13. https://www.autosport.com/national/news/how-formula-woman-is-helping-find-female-racing-stars/8485493/ How Formula Woman is helping find female racing stars
  14. https://www.itv.com/news/central/2022-03-02/could-the-first-female-f1-champion-come-from-the-midlands Could the first female Formula One Champion come from the Midlands?
  15. https://www.caribbeannationalweekly.com/sports/sara-misir-makes-cut-through-to-top-15-of-formula-woman/ Sara Misir makes cut! ... Through to top 15 of Formula Woman