A list of 14 racers, including several professional drivers, has been revealed for W Series’ first 2020 driver selection test at Almeria in Spain.
Over three days, the 14 will have access to both the championship’s Tatuus T-318 car and its simulator model. Benchmark times around the circuit will be set by 2019 runner-up Beitske Visser and Miki Koyama.
The selection process for the test began last week, when a group of over 30 drivers took part in a simulator-based shootout in the UK. Those who performed best were invited to Almeria, while a further selection of drivers have been handed a second simulator opportunity.
Leading the list of on-track testers is sportscar star Katherine Legge, who last raced single-seaters in Formula E back in 2014, and competed in IndyCar prior to that.
Joining her are junior single-seater aces Bruna Tomaselli, currently eighth in USF2000, British Formula 4 rookie Abbie Munro, and the Spanish F4 trio of Belen Garcia, Irina Sidorskova and Nerea Marti. Sidorskova is a SMP Racing junior, while sources close to Formula Scout suggest Garcia will represent Spain in the inaugural FIA Motorsport Games F4 Cup.
Others with single-seater experience include F1600 Championship Series champion Ayla Agren, who was close to quitting racing after being snubbed by W Series last year, FCC Formulaspeed 2.0 champion Courtney Crone, Danish Formula Ford race-winner Michelle Gatting and one-time Formula Renault NEC racer Gabriela Jilkova.
The list is completed by?The Grand Tour?test driver Abbie Eaton, Japanese prototype racer Anna Inotsume, New Zealand stock car racer Chelsea Herbert and American karting graduate Hannah Grisham.
?Almeria is a technical and unforgiving circuit and as such is a perfect stage for aspiring drivers to show us their talent,” said W Series racing director Dave Ryan.
“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.?