Floersch unhappy with W Series all-female Esports effort

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F3 driver Sophia Floersch has called out the all-female W Series for setting up its own online championship which the German driver labeled as just "marketing stuff".

The International championship for female drivers has partnered with gaming platform iRacing to help its drivers fill the current void of inactivity during the coronavirus crisis and promote diversity in what has previously been seen as "a predominantly male-dominated activity".

"We intend to stage on-track W Series races once the global COVID-19 crisis has subsided, whenever that will be," said W Series chairman David Coulthard.

"But, in the meantime, we're delighted to have created the next best thing, the W Series Esports League, which will race on 10 of the greatest racetracks in the world."

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Floersch, whose name rose to prominence when the 19-year-old survived a horrendous crash in the 2018 Macau Grand Prix, says that W Series' online efforts equates to "segregation" behind a computer screen.

"Come on, that's a joke?" she wrote on Twitter. "Segregation behind a computer. Girls, Esports is 100% gender-neutral. So many Esports events where girls and boys can participate. For FREE. What marketing stuff. Bitter truth."

However, it's hard to understand Sophia's beef, as W Series surfing on the Esports craze is just a logical extension of the real thing,

Also, the use of the word "segregation" -- whose dark historical connotations are regretfully often lost on the younger generation, not to mention the fact that no one is forcing anyone to take part in the real-world series -- is unfitted.

©WSeries

Furthermore, when Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto announced earlier this year that the Scuderia was focused on adding a female member in its famed driver academy, Floersch also dismissed that effort, suggesting it was also just a marketing ploy.

So whether a dedicated series promotes women in racing or a prestigious team decides to help a young woman racer step up the ladder, Floersch perversely takes exception with both initiatives.

Come on Sophia, you're talented enough do your talking on the track girl!

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.