Gearbox issue overshadows W Series

Two of the leading racers in the W Series, Jamie Chadwick and Alice Powell have expressed their difficulties with a gearbox problem following the opening race at Hockenheim.

Chadwick secured a dominant win at the opening race this weekend, comfortably winning the race as well as earning pole position and the fastest lap of the race. She secured a maximum 25 points at the inaugural race whilst Powell came second.

The race didn’t come without its controversy, however, and Chadwick expressed her dissatisfaction with the gearbox problem over the radio during the race. The issue cost her the lead at turn one but regained the lead and after the race, she explained the issue.

"It's something I've discovered a little bit [this weekend]," said Chadwick.

"Sometimes you have an issue where you lock the front and the rear and obviously when you lock the rear tyres, it's really hard to get the downshifts engaged and get the car down the gearbox.

"When you're not getting the downshift, you're not getting the engine braking, so when you go into the corner you have to brake a bit more and that causes front locking.”