The W Series is gearing up for the 2020 season as they announce names of 14 new drivers traveling for the Almeria test.
Like in 2018, the W Series is conducting a pre-season selection programme for drivers to feature in the final line-up for the 2020 season. With 12 drivers being retained from 2019, it leaves only eight seats to be filled.
The organisers has revealed the names of 14 new drivers, from whom only eight will be selected to join the remaining 12. The three-day will take place between September 16-18 at Almeria in Spain.
Season 1 runners Beitske Visser and Miki Koyama will be the benchmark for the 14 drivers to reach up to, with series of tests in place which includes driving the Tatuus T-318 car at Almeria.
The W Series hosted an invitation-only SIM event at its Dunsfold technical centre in Surrey to identify the 14 shortlisted drivers, where the entrants went through practice, qualification and race programmes.
The names of 14 shortlisted drivers:
Abbie Eaton, UK
Abbie Munro, UK
Anna Inotsume, Japan
Ayla Agren, Norway
Belen Garcia, Spain
Bruna Tomaselli, Brazil
Cheslea Herbert, New Zealand
Courtney Crone, USA
Gabriela Jilkova, Czech Republic
Hannah Grisham, USA
Irina Sidorkova, Russia
Katherine Legge, UK
Michelle Gatting, Denmark
Nerea Marti, Spain
And as known, the 12 automatic entries are Jamie Chadwick, Visser, Alice Powell, Marta Garcia, Emma Kimilainen, Fabienne Wohlwend, Koyama, Sarah Moore, Vicky Piria, Tasmin Pepper, Jess Hawkins and Sabre Cook.
Catherine Bond Muir, W Series CEO said: “Our inaugural W Series season has succeeded beyond our wildest expectations in so many ways, and so we are all incredibly excited to see what 2020 brings.
“This is not just in terms of the new driving talent we hope to see in Almeria, but also the new fans and enthusiasts from across the globe we hope to bring as we start our second year re-defining women’s motorsport.”
At the same time, Dave Ryan, W Series Racing Director added: “Almeria is a technical and unforgiving circuit and as such is a perfect stage for aspiring drivers to show us their talent.
“With Beitske and Miki both on hand to set reference laps, we will soon be able to see who has what it takes to join W Series next season.” The final names will be announced as soon as the test is over.