Chadwick tops W Series’ Singapore practice as financial pressure grows

Photo: W Series

W Series’ runaway points leader Jamie Chadwick topped free practice in Singapore, as the series’ financial position worsened.

The build up of debt by W Series in 2021 was revealed via its latest financial documents earlier this month, and then in the days prior to the Singapore round there were reports of how that situation has evolved in 2022 and that the rest of the season may be under threat with cash issues and late payments to those working with the series.

It is similar to the series’ inaugural season in 2019, when late payments contributed to key partners leaving before the series’ second season in 2021. But there have been further departures since, and as Singapore is a flyaway round the on-the-ground team has been reduced for sustainability.

Formula Scout understands that there are no payment concerns for the operational team, Fine Moments, who run all 18 cars in the centrally-run series.

Free practice took place on Friday afternoon under sunlight, with Jessica Hawkins first to set a lap.

She topped the times through the first 10 minutes as Alice Powell had a last-corner spin and then Chloe Chambers caused a red flag stoppage.

Powell jumped to first place when action resumed, setting a 2m14.298s lap that put her over a second clear of Fabienne Wohlwend in second place.

Chadwick was in third, but was then demoted by Sarah Moore before everyone returned to the pits. At the very end she set a 1m13.529s to go fastest, 0.568s quicker than Abbi Pulling.

Powell’s earlier lap left her in third place, ahead of late improvers Belen Garcia, Beitske Visser and Nerea Marti.

Free practice results