W Series to join Formula 1 at eight race weekends

W Series has confirmed its 2022 calendar, with eight races set to run at Formula 1 weekends.

The all-female championship will kick off its third season at the Miami International Autodrome on 6-8 May, which will be making its debut as an F1 venue this year.

From there, the series will hold rounds in Spain, the UK, France and Hungary, before making a debut appearance in Asia by racing in Japan.

A second visit to the United States will host the penultimate event of the season at Austin, Texas, before the finale takes place just one week later in Mexico.

Ross Brawn, F1's Managing Director, has welcomed the announcement of W Series' 2022 schedule alongside Formula 1, with the series having previously been staged during F1 weekends last year.

"We are proud to announce that W Series will continue to join us at eight Formula 1 races in 2022," Brawn said.

"It has been incredible to witness the championship progress as we continue to champion diversity across motorsport, and it is exciting to see the series will visit five new venues next year, including its debut in Asia."

Building "greater diversity across Formula 1"

Brawn is also hopeful that this signals further progress towards increased diversity in F1.

"We believe that it is extremely important to give everyone the opportunity to reach the highest levels of our sport, and our partnership with W Series continues to demonstrate our resolve in building greater diversity across Formula 1," he explained.

Catherine Bond Muir, CEO of W Series, added: "W Series' expansion continues with the announcement of our 2022 race calendar which will see us visit more circuits and countries in a single season than ever before.

"Last year, we began a landmark partnership with Formula 1 and our talented grid of female racing drivers proved that they belong on motor racing's greatest stage.

"I would like to thank Formula 1 for their continued support and commitment to creating more opportunities for girls and women in the highest categories of our sport."

The W Series championship was won by Jamie Chadwick in 2019 and 2021, with the 2020 campaign not taking place due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Chadwick - a member of the Williams Driver Academy - has suggested that she is unlikely to return to the series in 2022, with her focus being on potentially progressing up the single-seater ladder as well as undertaking racing in other categories.