Perspectives: Paul Denning Talks WorldWCR's Future and the Barriers Facing Women in Racing
- alicejukes
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
The WorldWCR, the FIM's groundbreaking all-female circuit racing championship, has quickly captured attention in the motorsport world. While the series has made significant strides since its launch, questions about its long-term place in the racing landscape remain.
In conversation with Paul Denning, a powerhouse in motorsport management and the current Team Principal of both Ampito Crescent Yamaha in WorldWCR and Pata Maxus Yamaha in World Superbike, we dive into the challenges and potential that lie ahead for the series. With decades of experience at the helm of top-tier teams in MotoGP and World Superbike, Denning’s unique perspective offers a rare look into the future of the WorldWCR, the growth of female talent in motorsport, and the obstacles that still need to be overcome for women to compete at the highest levels.
Future of the WorldWCR
Only a year after its inception, I asked Denning whether he sees WCR as a long-term championship in its own right or more of a steppingstone to mixed-gender series like World Supersport and World Superbike - the same way F1 Academy is designed to help female competitors climb the motorsport ladder to Formula 1.
Denning points to Ana Carrasco as an early example of what progression from WCR might look like. Following her championship title, Carrasco secured a seat in the 2025 World Supersport Challenger category with the Honda France team. However, Denning is quick to note that her move up the ladder isn’t solely the result of her WCR success. “That’s also off the back of the fact that she's won races against the boys in other categories. So, it's not an exclusively WCR-led step.”
As for whether WCR can establish itself as a long-term world championship, Denning’s response is cautiously optimistic. “I hope so,” he says, “but commercially, the championship needs to do better in terms of attracting external sponsorship. That’s been a weak point.” While Yamaha has supported the series from the start, wider industry investment has been limited, and Denning sees this as a key challenge. For WCR to truly stand on its own, it needs to secure a stronger financial foundation beyond manufacturer-led initiatives.
This, he suggests, may require rethinking how the series is marketed and positioned within the broader racing landscape. “Maybe the promoter, Dorna, needs to rethink how the series is presented commercially,” he explains. “Right now, it’s quite a unique championship, and that should be a selling point - but it needs to be targeted towards the right kind of partners who see value in supporting something with genuine potential.”
Beyond commercial sustainability, Denning also considers how the WCR might evolve competitively. Currently, the championship operates as a single-make Yamaha R7 series, providing an accessible and stable platform in its early years. Looking ahead, he sees the possibility of transitioning to a multi-manufacturer format under World Supersport-style rules. “The next step, you could argue, would be perhaps developing it into a categorised championship that perhaps is run to Supersport rules, but Open makes, and then different manufacturers could be involved in supporting girls,” he explains.
However, he acknowledges that WCR is not yet at a stage where this shift would be beneficial. With such a wide range of skill levels among riders, introducing manufacturer competition too soon could create disparities that hinder development rather than encourage it. “I think at least a couple of years to have a level whereby a faster machine, whether it’s one-make or multi-make championship, makes sense, is right.” For now, ensuring a balanced and competitive field remains the priority.
Barriers for Women in Motorcycle Racing
Despite progress in women's motorcycle racing, significant barriers remain in reaching the top levels of competition. Denning acknowledges that while female participation is increasing, the sport has historically been male dominated, making it a longer process to achieve gender parity. “It takes a long time for any sport to sort of be open to both genders in the way that many sports have become,” he says, drawing comparisons to rugby, where women’s participation has grown substantially in recent decades.
One of the key challenges, he suggests, is societal perception. “All the stereotypes of what a girly girl should be and how fathers and mothers want to protect their little girls… mean that sports like rugby and, following on from that, motorcycle racing may be a slightly less attractive opportunity compared to tennis or hockey.” While these perceptions are shifting, their influence is still felt at the grassroots level, where early opportunities and encouragement are critical in shaping future professional riders.
Beyond societal factors, Denning highlights the physical demands of premier class racing as a potential limitation. “There is a simple restriction, I think, in general for girls of the physicality of throwing a big bike around,” he explains, pointing to the sheer power and weight of machines in MotoGP and World Superbike. “A 300-horsepower MotoGP bike or a 240-horsepower superbike […] it’s a unit of a thing to throw around.” He draws a comparison to tennis, noting that while female players possess immense skill, “the best female tennis player in the world is going to struggle against the best male tennis player because of the speed of serve, because of the speed of movement.” He suggests that a similar reality exists in motorcycle racing, where raw strength plays a role at the highest levels.
However, Denning is also clear that this does not diminish female riders’ skill, bravery, or commitment. In fact, he believes that in smaller bike categories, where physicality plays a lesser role, there is no reason why women cannot compete on completely equal footing with men. “Championships like WCR are demonstrating that the speed levels, skill levels, bravery, and commitment of the girls is every bit as good as the guys.”
Future of Women’s Motorsport
While the road ahead for the WorldWCR may be challenging, Denning remains hopeful about the series’ future and its potential to drive meaningful change in the world of motorsport. With the right commercial support, strategic growth, and continued commitment to nurturing talent, the WorldWCR could become a lasting fixture in the racing landscape. As Denning rightly points out, the progress made by women in the sport is undeniable but overcoming societal and physical barriers will be crucial in breaking down the final walls to true gender parity in motorcycle racing.
Assen 2025
A massive congratulations to Denning and his WorldSBK (Pata Maxus Yamaha) and WorldWCR (Ampito Crescent Yamaha) teams' as both left the previous round in Assen with maiden victories. Beatriz Neila took a stunning victory in Race 2 of the WCR after a last-lap move on Race 1 winner Maria Herrera. In WorldSBK, rider Andrea Locatelli took a long-awaited and well-deserved win in Race 2. A successful weekend for Yamaha as Remy Gardener (GYTR GRT Yamaha) stood alongside Locatelli in 3rd. We can't wait to see how the team goes in the upcoming Cremona round, where both WorldSBK and WorldWCR return for what promises to be an exciting weekend.
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