W Series 2020 season cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic

The W Series has been cancelled for the 2020 season due to the Covid-19 pandemic, its chief executive confirmed on Thursday.

The all-female motorsport series, which started last year, had been due to award points towards a Formula One superlicence for the first time.

The cancellation will be a particular setback for Britain's inaugural champion Jamie Chadwick, who had hoped to defend her title and move a step closer to F1. Chadwick already has 10 points from finishing fourth in the Asian Formula Three series before the coronavirus lockdown.

"Our decision not to stage on-track races until 2021 is not one that has been taken lightly," said W Series chief executive Catherine Bond Muir in a statement.

"Now that we have taken the very difficult but ultimately unavoidable decision... we will focus our energies clearly on 2021 when we will resume our on-track racing programme bigger and better than ever before."

She said 2021 would include support races for Formula One at the USA and Mexican grands Prix, as was planned this year.

"W Series has had an incredible impact on the world of motorsport, and we were excited to have them join our schedule this year," said Ross Brawn, Formula One's managing director for motorsport.

"It is a big disappointment for all of us that due to the difficulties presented by COVID-19 the events will not take place, but we are looking forward to some exciting racing in 2021 when W Series returns."

Additional reporting from Reuters