W Series returned for round 3 at Silverstone on the 16th of July. The UK is home to 5 drivers on the grid, so there was added pressure to perform for the 140,000 fans in the stands. 

There is only one practice session on a W Series weekend, meaning the drivers have to make the most of it. Home hero Jamie Chadwick looked to be the fastest in the session, but fellow Brit Alice Powell ended up topping the session with Chadwick and Kimilainen following.

The drivers’ pace in qualifying seemed to reflect practice, with Chadwick and Powell being the favorites. Round 2 podium sitter Irina Sidorkova seemed to struggle in qualifying, only securing 16th out of 18 drivers. With 15 minutes to go, it looked like the reigning champion was going to take pole, but two-time W Series winner Alice Powell was able to take it from Chadwick. The top 5 were Powell, Wohlwend, Chadwick, Visser, and Kimilainen. 

The race was full of energy right from the start. After lights out, Miki Koyama stalled on the grid, causing a yellow flag that prevented any real racing. Visser also had a bad start, losing positions in the first lap before the yellow flag. At the front, Wohlwend took the lead from championship leader Powell in the first few corners, but Powell kept fighting. Everyone got through the first few laps unscathed, and everything was relatively calm. Abbie Eaton made it up into the points after qualifying 12th, making great overtakes throughout the 30-minute race. A second yellow flag came out after Koyama suffered a technical failure that took her out of the race. The safety car returned to the pits with only 7 minutes to go. Powell retook the lead after Wohlwend made a mistake on the restart. Visser, Moore, and Pulling had a fierce battle for 6th place, but Visser came out on top and scored 8 points in the championship. The second and final retirement of the race came in the last lap when B. Garcia was out after contact with Hawkins. After being investigated, Hawkins received a 10 second time penalty, dropping her out of the points to 16th. Alice Powell ended up winning her home race with Wohlwend in 2nd and Chadwick in 3rd. 

Alice Powell with her first place trophy after the race (Photo via @alicepowell on Twitter )

Powell is currently leading the championship only 6 points ahead of the defending champion Jamie Chadwick. W Series returns in Hungary on the 30th and 31st of July.