- Formula 1, Olympic/Paralympic Games, European Champions Cup rugby and Wimbledon tennis TV presenter, Lee McKenzie, will be W Series anchor-presenter
- Specialist motor racing TV and radio broadcaster, Claire Cottingham, joins W Series line-up as lead commentator
- Former Formula 1 ace, David Coulthard, to act as co-commentator
- Ted Kravitz, Formula 1 TV pit-lane specialist, becomes W Series reporter
- Channel 4 will broadcast all six W Series races live free-to-air in HD
LONDON, APRIL 29th 2019 – W Series, the all-new international single-seater racing championship for female drivers only, has announced an all-star TV presentation team, comprising a blend of experience, enthusiasm and expertise, to bring the excitement and thrills of this unique series to viewers around the globe.
Anchoring the team is one of the UK’s most recognised sports presenters, Lee McKenzie. Lee is best known to motorsport fans for her key role in Channel 4’s coverage of Formula 1 and her interviews with star drivers and team bosses, and now brings her in-depth understanding of motor racing and its personalities to W Series audiences.
Specialist motor racing TV and radio broadcaster and commentator, Claire Cottingham, will be W Series’ lead race commentator. Alongside her in the commentary box will be David Coulthard, sharing co-commentating duties with further guest co-commentators (to be announced). A 13-time Grand Prix winner, David is an acclaimed Formula 1 commentator for Channel 4.
Ted Kravitz will be W Series’ pit-lane reporter, a role that he has perfected over numerous years in Formula 1, and which has endeared him to fans around the globe.
Further announcements will be made in due course as the W Series presentation team evolves to include guest contributors, celebrities and motorsport personalities.
Catherine Bond Muir (W Series’ Chief Executive Officer) said:
“All of us at W Series are delighted to have contracted such a superb team of TV talent.
“DC is of course a household name – a Formula 1 winner 13 times – and is a brilliant co-commentator, delivering his lifetime’s knowledge of a racing driver’s craft informatively and entertainingly. He is also Chairman of W Series’ Advisory Board.
“Lee is a consummate TV anchor-presenter – intelligent and insightful yet possessed of a friendly and accessible on-screen manner. Ted is a legend – uniquely able to describe and explain racing tech and tactics in a digestible way – while we’re delighted that W Series and Channel 4 will be bringing Claire’s motorsport commentary skills to a wider audience than have heard her before. She’s an excellent racing story-teller.
“In summary, it’s a great team, and it’s especially pleasing that there are so many women in key positions – with more to come.”
Lee McKenzie said:
“It’s a huge pleasure to be involved at the start of W Series. I’ve covered almost every series of motorsport and to be involved in one that could also change the face of the sport as we know it is really exciting.
“W Series is on one of the best motorsport platforms there is – DTM – and it will therefore visit some incredible racetracks. I went to Almeria at the end of March to attend the final part of W Series’ driver selection programme, and I was really impressed by what I saw. Gender aside, these drivers are the same as every other driver on every other grid: they have a huge desire to succeed.”
Ted Kravitz said:
“It’s rare that a brand-new motorsport series comes along that captures the imagination and interest in the way that W Series has.
“I’m really looking forward to telling the stories of all these drivers and joining the W Series team of new and familiar faces.”
Claire Cottingham said:
“I’m thrilled to be part of this incredible and ground-breaking team, being one of the first female commentators in motorsport.
“It’s an absolute dream come true to be involved in such a historic series, which supports women in fulfilling their potential. I can’t wait to see W Series grow and watch the drivers excel in a sport that I love so much.”
David Coulthard said:
“Having spent almost my entire life immersed in motor racing, first as a driver and then as a TV commentator and businessman, I’m now absolutely delighted to be playing a key role within W Series – not only as a member of the series’ management but also now as part of the TV commentary team.
“I firmly believe that W Series is a radical but crucial innovation in motorsport, and that it will result in the development of some very talented and successful female racing drivers, this year and in years to come.
“Undoubtedly, Channel 4 and Whisper Films will collaborate to put on a great show, and it’s an excellent sign of the times that the only motor racing series that will be shown live on free-to-air TV on any of the UK’s top four channels will be an all-female one.”