W Series CEO Catherine Bond Muir hailed Queen Elizabeth II’s reign as “the greatest embodiment of women’s empowerment in our lifetime” after the monarch’s death at the age of 96 was announced on Thursday.

By Rachel Steinberg

Catherine Bond Muir’s statement, also tweeted by the Series’ official account, read in full: “All at W Series are deeply saddened at the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and express our sincere condolences to the King and Royal Family.

“We are privileged to have lived under her reign, the greatest embodiment of women’s empowerment in our lifetime – and we will continue to race in her honour.”

W Series also appeared to change the account’s logo to black and the banner image the same colour in response to the news. All six British drivers took to social media to express their own condolences, with Alice Powell echoing the sentiments of many Brits stunned by the prospect of an end to the Queen’s remarkable 70-year reign. 

“Sat here in my hotel room in silence,” she wrote. “It doesn’t feel right, our Queen no longer being with us. I didn’t know her and sadly never got the pleasure of meeting her, but tonight I feel like we have really lost a part of us.”

It was her second tweet on the subject, having three hours earlier paid a touching nod to the Queen’s late husband Prince Philip, who died last April. She wrote. “Thank you Ma’am, for everything. Thoughts are with all of her family. Rest in Peace Queen Elizabeth II, you are with Phillip now.”

The drivers

Double reigning champion Jamie Chadwick, meanwhile, tweeted: “Thank you for your lifelong service. RIP Your Majesty.”

Sarah Moore wrote: “I have no words right now, other than thank you. I’m not sure if we will have another Queen in my lifetime, but one thing is for sure… if we do they have big shoes to fill after what you achieved in your reign. RIP Queen Elizabeth, a true inspiration.”

Jessica Hawkins shared an image of the Queen to her Instagram story, captioning it with “RIP” and a heart.
Abbie Eaton and Abbi Pulling kept their messages simple, with Eaton writing “rest in peace. And thank you” while Pulling retweeted the Royal Family’s official announcement alongside “rest in peace”.

W Series, now in its second season as an F1 support race, does not resume until practice sessions begin in Singapore on September 30 and has not yet announced any plans for marking the Queen’s death.

Leagues and competitions across British sport are now in the process of determining next steps, with several events already cancelled or postponed on Friday and beyond. F1 will still host the Italian Grand Prix, with at least one moment of silence planned for the weekend.