The W Series, an international championship for female drivers only, has added new racing drivers to their W Series Esports League. A brand-new initiative, the W Series Esports League aims to inaugurate, publicize, promote and empower female sim-racers, to encourage more women and girls to take up racing in what has always been seen as a male-dominated space.
The new drivers are:
W Series Esports League race driver: Caitlin Wood, Australia, 23
W Series Esports League race driver: Gosia Rdest, Poland, 27
W Series Esports League reserve driver: Naomi Schiff, Germany, 25
The above three drivers will join the 18 drivers who have qualified to race in the on-track W Series this year, all of whom are expected to take part in the W Series Esports League.
Working closely with Logitech G, Beyond Entertainment and iRacing, W Series will stage W Series Esports League races on 10 of the greatest circuits in the world, and up to three races of varying lengths/durations will be run at each of the 10 circuits.
New W Series Esports League race driver Caitlin Wood (finished 13th in the 2019 W Series) said:
“The growth of esports this year has been phenomenal and I’m extremely excited to be part of the W Series Esports League. A lot of hard work has been put in by W Series, Logitech G, Beyond Entertainment and iRacing to make this happen. I’m really grateful for the opportunity to be back on the grid, even if it’s virtual for now. The circuits that have been chosen for the League are really impressive and I especially can’t wait to get back to my roots for the Mount Panorama Bathurst round. I’ll definitely be clocking up lots of hours on the sim in preparation.”
Follow Caitlin on Instagram @caitlinwoodracing.
New W Series Esports League race driver Gosia Rdest (finished 14th in the 2019 W Series championship) said: “I thoroughly enjoyed my time with W Series last season so it’s fantastic to be back as part of the new W Series Esports League. I recently began my sim-racing adventure and I’ve been surprised by the lack of females using the platforms, so I’m sure that this initiative can change that. The list of circuits is amazing. Half of them are brand new to me, so I’m thrilled that I’ll be able to get familiar with them. I’m desperately missing being in a real race car, but the experience that Logitech G, iRacing, and Beyond Entertainment are giving us is a very accurate replacement which gives me a real thrill. Let the show begin!”
Follow Gosia Rdest on Instagram: @gosia.rdest.
New W Series Esports League reserve driver Naomi Schiff (W Series Diversity & Inclusion Ambassador; finished 16th in the 2019 W Series championship, Hankook Tire Ambassador) said: “I’m very excited to be on the verge of returning to the W Series grid. The calendar looks mega and esports has already proven to be the next best thing for drivers and fans during this pandemic, so I think this is a great move. I’m hopeful that this League will mirror the positive effect that W Series has already had for women in the ‘real world’, and will inspire more female participation in the ‘virtual world’ too.”
Follow Naomi Schiff on Instagram: @naomischiff.
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