Watch the W Series make history, its aim: women racing Formula 1

An international women's racing series with one goal in mind: to springboard women into Formula 1. Oh, and exciting racing. Watch every race LIVE via SBS On Demand.

Australian driver Caitlin Wood is one of the 18 drivers racing the six event W Series starting in Hockenheim 4 May 2019 (W Series) Source: W Series

Just two women have raced Formula 1 since the world championship began in 1950 after Czech Elisa Junkova paved the way in its pre history, winning a grand prix class victory at Nurburgring in 1927.

No woman has raced Formula 1 since Italian Lella Lombardi in 1976 although a few came close including Williams F1 test driver and now Venturi Formula E racer/team part-owner Susie Wolff.

Many have the skills but not the financial backing needed to stay in the sport beyond kart racing and Formula 4.

The team behind the new W Series believes that's not good enough. So it has created a six-race, Formula 3 series through private investment, selecting 18 drivers - including Australian Caitlin Wood - based on skill and merit following intense on-track testing.

Although a women-only competition, its creators and supporters see the W series as a vital launchpad should their drivers want more.

"At the heart of W Series' DNA is the firm belief that women can compete equally with men in motorsport. However, an all-female series is essential in order to force greater female participation," organisers said in a statement.

SBS will live stream each of the six races via the SBS On Demand app and here on the SBS Sport website. The first race kicks off this Saturday 4 May in Hockenheim, Germany streaming from 11.45pm AEST.

One of its earliest supporters, Red Bull Racing chief technical officer Dave Newey said "the W Series is a platform on which women drivers can improve by racing one another and from which they may then springboard their careers forward and ultimately race successfully in F1."

Former McLaren team manager Dave Ryan is the W Series racing director, multiple grand prix winner and former F1 driver David Coulthard an advisory board chairman, and its CEO is lawyer and corporate finance banker Catherine Bond Muir.

“History will be made on May 4, when 18 of the world’s fastest female drivers line up on the grid,” said Bond Muir.

Technical information

The W Series features mechancially identical cars based on the recently launched Tatuus T-318.

Chassis construction: Carbon-fibre monocoque

Engine displacement: 1.8L (110 cu in) DOHC inline-4

Aspiration: Turbocharged

Fuel delivery: Direct fuel injection

Fuel capacity: 45.5 litres (12 US gallons)

Fuel: TBA

Weight: 565 kg (1,246 lb)

Power output: 270 hp (201 kW)

Width: 1,850 mm (73 in)

Wheelbase: 2,900 mm (79 in)

Gearbox: Sadev 6-speed paddleshift gearbox + 1 reverse

Steering: Power-assisted rack-and-pinion

The series said it will offer a prize fund of $1.5 million (USD) the overall winner will collect $500,000 with prize money down to 18th place.

For full technical details and regulations visit the W Series website.

How to watch the W Series with SBS Sport

SBS will live stream each of the six races via the SBS On Demand app and here on the SBS Sport website. The first race kicks off this Saturday 4 May in Hockenheim, Germany streaming from 11.45pm AEST.

W Series Race 1 - Hockenheim, Germany - Saturday 4 May

2345–0055 AEST