The one-race shootout to decide the W Series title

A final weekend in Texas will decide the winner of a season-long battle between two British drivers

Alice Powell is chasing a first W Series title (W Series)

An entire W Series season will come down to a single race on Sunday, but for one title contender, the journey has been much longer.

Alice Powell was out of racing for four years before driving in the inaugural season of the all-female series in 2019, finishing third, and with two races to go in 2021 she is tied at the top on 109 points.

Her rival is defending champion and fellow Brit Jamie Chadwick, with the pair will battling it out in a Texas double-header starting Saturday, the first time the W Series has been staged outside of Europe.

But Powell isn't looking in the rear-view mirror — her focus is firmly fixed forward on the Circuit of the Americas.

She said: “I’m just excited to get to Austin, that’s when you really know it’s getting started, and I just can’t wait to get on track. The track seems super cool and it’s obviously going to be the most important race weekend of the year so far.

“I’ve tried not to think about it too much because you never know what’s going to happen, but it definitely would be super special.

“To have been out of racing for four years and to have a bit of a difficult 2019, to come back again and be pushing Jamie all the way, especially being level on points, that makes it extra sweet for whoever wins.

“Hopefully, that’ll be me. It would be an incredible thing if I were to win the championship.”

The W Series began in 2019 to create more opportunity for women in motorsport, with Chadwick claiming the inaugural title and the 2020 competition curtailed by the pandemic.

Powell and Chadwick are locked in a trophy battle to rival Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, but the 28-year-old still has some kind words to say about her opponent.

"Jamie is the defending champion. She’s obviously out to defend her crown. She’s a tough competitor, she’s got quick speed," Powell added.

“She’s definitely done well, she’s stepped in and got podiums. She’s a fast competitor and it’s good to be battling out in front with her. We’ve been pushing each other throughout the whole season.

“I’m just looking at the weekend. I just need to do what I’ve been doing, and try to take it race by race.

“This weekend’s slightly different, there’s two races and they’re probably going to be the most important two but I’m just going to try and focus on doing the best I can. If my best is not enough it will be frustrating, but hopefully it will be good enough.”

Race seven takes place at 11:25pm BST on Saturday, while lights out for the eighth will be at 5:05pm BST on Sunday before F1's United States Grand Prix.

The season finale, originally scheduled for Mexico City, was moved to COTA after an F1 calendar shakeup. The move to Texas - and to two races in the same weekend - also unlocked the latest milestone for the rapidly-growing all-female competition.

Sunday’s decider marks the first time that a W Series race will be held on the same day as an F1 race, with W Series races typically held on the Saturday of GP weekends.

And Oxford-born Powell is relishing the chance to race in front of sell-out crowds.

She said: “I’ve raced in Mexico before and the fans were amazing so it’s a shame that we can’t go, but having the final two races in Austin this weekend, it’s a great venue.

Jamie Chadwick is defending champion (W Series)

“I’ve heard it’s a sell-out as well so that’s going to be even more special. The fans are going to be incredible so hopefully, we can put on a good show.

“I think it’s credit to the W Series and Formula One for allowing the W Series to be on their platform and run as a support race. W Series is such a new championship so for F1 to take on such a new championship just shows how valued it is.

“I’m sure they have really enjoyed the racing we’ve produced, and it’s probably got to be one of the closest title fights of the year so far.”

As well as fighting for the title, Powell’s hectic year has included mentoring younger drivers including 18-year-old British W Series reserve Abbi Pulling, who will be on the grid again this weekend.

She's recently appeared on Channel 4’s coverage of the Russian Grand Prix, and believes it’s vital to showcase the wide variety of career paths within motorsport.

She said: “I did the punditry which I really enjoyed. I have had lots of nice comments about the roles I’ve done on the TV and the commentary.

“It shows that there are other avenues as well; it’s not just about the driving. There’s avenues of mechanics and engineering, but also the punditry and media side that is really important too.

“We’ve seen in other sports, such as football, female commentators and pundits coming in so I think it’s really important to show these young girls that there are other options because at the end of the day driving isn’t for everybody.”

But for Powell, at least, driving will be all she thinks of as she revs up her engine this weekend.