W Series has announced that it will not stage on-track races until 2021 due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
The championship had hoped to stage an eight-race season, with rounds at Monza, Autorodomo Hermanos Rodriguez and Circuit of the Americas, and was supposed to get underway last week at Igora Drive in Russia.
The pandemic has impacted sport across the world, with the Formula 1 season not due to start until early July.
W Series announced that the decision came after consultation with Formula 1, DTM and the FIA, but insisted that the 2021 season woulc be bigger and better with at least two races on the Formula 1 calendar, in Austin and Mexico City.
W Series CEO Catherine Bond Muir said: “After the resounding success of W Series’ debut season in 2019, our decision not to stage on-track races until 2021 is not one that has been taken lightly.
“However, we are already working on an exciting new W Series race calendar for 2021, and we are delighted to be able to confirm that W Series races will feature on the support cards of a number of Formula 1 Grands Prix next year, including the 2021 United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas and the 2021 Mexican Grand Prix at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.”
Formula 1 managing director of motorsports Ross Brawn added: “W Series has had an incredible impact on the world of motorsport, and we were excited to have them join our schedule this year. It is a big disappointment for all of us that due to the difficulties presented by COVID-19 the events will not take place, but we are looking forward to some exciting racing in 2021 when W Series returns.”