The all-female W Series is launching an esports league for female drivers, with actual racing still suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

With its second season on hold and no start date set, organizers hope to maintain the series' profile and encourage more women to compete in both the male-dominated virtual world and the real one.

"We intend to stage on-track W Series races once the global COVID-19 crisis has subsided, whenever that will be, but in the meantime we're delighted to have created the next best thing," advisory board chairman David Coulthard said in a statement on Thursday.