Visser claims victory in Zolder to close gap on Chadwick

Beitske Visser

If anyone thought Jamie Chadwick was going to be out of reach of her W Series rivals after a dominant performance at the opening round in Hockenheim, the second race in the all-female series painted a different picture.

Beitske Visser, 24, from Holland, used her experience of the Zolder circuit in Belgium to take a victory every bit as impressive as Chadwick’s had been in Germany. She got a perfect start from second on the grid, survived two safety-car restarts and led every one of the 19 laps.

Chadwick, who had qualified in pole position, looked to be headed for a comfortable second place until she made a mistake at a chicane. Fellow Briton Alice Powell closed in and moved ahead after a wheel-to-wheel battle that lasted several corners. Chadwick showed her skill and racecraft to regain second place with a brave move around the outside of the quick Turn One with just two laps to go.

Chadwick stays on top of the standings with 43 points, Visser is just six behind with Powell third on 33. There are only four rounds remaining of the inaugural W Series, the next at Misano in Italy in three weeks, and these three drivers have established themselves as the main contenders for the $500,000 first prize.

Results

Drivers' standings