By: RACER Staff 14 hours ago W Series, a new female-only open-wheel series set to begin racing in May 2019, has released a list of 55 finalists who will compete for a place on the 18-spot grid.The drivers were selected from a pool of more than 100 applicants from 30 countries. The next step in the selection process will be a three-day on-and-off-track trial including fitness tests and psychometric profiling, as well as multiple driving skill tests. Former F1 drivers David Coulthard, a series advisory board chair, and Alex Wurz will be among the judges, alongside W Series racing director Dave Ryan.Related

All-female W Series to launch in 2019

“We are thrilled but perhaps not surprised by the response,” said series CEO Catherine Bond Muir.“Even today there is a massive gender imbalance in motorsport and W Series is making the first step to correct that. Drivers from all over the world have stepped forward, so it’s clear that with the right framework we can make the changes this sport desperately needs.”The series will use identical Tatuus T-318 Formula 3 cars, powered by identical Autotecnica Motori inline four-cylinder 1.8-liter turbocharged engines, using Sadev six-speed sequential gearboxes, and fitted with Halos. A prize fund of $1.5 million is on offer, including $500,000 for the series winner and payouts down to 18th in the standings.