The Central and Eastern Europeans hoping to join the WSeries

In recent years, the popularity of motorsport has risen in areas such as Eastern Europe.

Although already popular, the success of F1 Grands Prix in Russia and Hungary (central Europe) and the remarkable comeback story of Robert Kubica, has continued to boost this. As home to some of the most competitive and challenging motorsport series in the world, who are the racers from these areas hoping to reach the 2019 W Series grid?

Alexandra Marinescu is known for being Romania’s first female single-seater driver. The 18-year-old has had a difficult start to her career having struggled to get the sponsorship and funds she needs leading to several breaks in her racing. She also had to take a year out after a crash in British Formula 4. Alexandra began racing aged 9, however it took her 2 years to convince her family that it was something she was really passionate about and that she would rather be karting than playing with dolls. After a successful karting career that involved racing for KSM Motorsport, the karting team co-created by Michael Schumacher, in 2014 Marinescu made the transition to car racing. Driving in the Skip Barber Summer Series in the US, she achieved 6 top 10 finishes in the 8 races she competed in. The following year, Alexandra had planned to race in the MSA Formula season, however after financial difficulties, her season was over before it had started. Having worked hard to gain the sponsorship she needed and to keep improving on her skills, Marinescu joined the Richardson Racing team mid-season and began racing in the 2016 British Formula 4 Championship. With Alexandra even having to start a Gofundme page to try and fund her racing career, the free-to-enter W Series could be an amazing opportunity for her to get her racing back on track and help in her aim to inspire more girls in Romania to race.

W Series Qualifiers: Who are the Central and Eastern Europeans hoping to make the final 18?