Some felt it was simply continuing the gender gap in the sport but for one Playboy model, it was the break she was desperate for.
Doreen Seidel is one of 55 drivers on the provisional list for the inaugural season but it is quite different to what she was doing a decade ago.
Now 33, Seidel made her Playboy debut in 2008 and settled into the role with ease.
So much so that she quickly rose through the ranks at the magazine to become a prominent Playmate, travelling across the world with her fellow models.
She was named Playmate of the Year for Germany in 2009 and was taken to the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles to meet Hugh Hefner and experience the famous lifestyle.
Seidel then went on tour as a 'Bunny' to Mexico, Spain, Russia, Poland, Greece, Argentina, Romania and Hungary.
In the same year as her national 'award', she was the 'lucky charm' Bunny in front of a Playboy branded car but then wanted to get behind the wheel rather than on top of the bonnet.
From there, he passion for racing cars simply boomed and she now has her sights set on a world championship.
The Munich-based racer participated in her first season of races in 2011 – with the Playboy logo proudly on display – and achieved her first podium finish that year.
As the years progressed, she rose through the ranks and switched between endurance racing and sprints while also taking up instructing in 2014 to help others get a grip of the sport.
The German raced for Mercedes-Benz this year but is desperate to show what she can do in the W Series next year.
Away from the track, Seidel has a diploma in business administration, loves snowboarding and is a self-confessed poor surfer but still enjoys at least attempting to catch a wave or two.
Three of her compatriots are also on the provisional list while five British drivers made the initial cut: Jamie Chadwick, Esmee Hawkey, Jessica Hawkins, Sarah Moore and Alice Powell.
The series is due to get underway in May with free entry for the selected racers – chosen via a simple qualification early next year – and a £1.14m prize fund on offer, £380,000 for the winner.
With six 30-minute races at former European F1 circuits and the women driving 1.8l Formula Three cars, it promises to be an exciting spectacle albeit surrounded by controversy.
Spanish racer Carmen Jorda created a backlash when she backed a female-only series, suggesting women were at a physical disadvantage and therefore could not compete with men at the very top level.
F1 racer Kevin Magnussen also supported the series, as did former British racer David Coulthard who is on the advisory board.
Magnussen said: "When I was karting as a boy, I raced a few girls who were talented and quick. But there weren't many of them; a lot more boys than girls go karting and that's a fact.
"So I welcome W Series and hope it'll help female racers progress their careers."
But former IndyCar driver Pippa Mann felt let down by the W Series, which is introduced just a year after grid girls were axed from pit-lanes and starting grids at Grand Prix.
She tweeted: "What a sad day for motorsport. Those with funding to help female racers are choosing to segregate them as opposed to supporting them.
"I am deeply disappointed to see such a historic step backwards take place in my life time."
Despite the mixed reaction, Seidel is definitely excited at the possibility of competing and taking her racing to the next level.
She took to social media and said: "So excited to be part of the W Series and meet all the other qualifiers end of January for the final selection. Let’s do this."
And after creating quite the storm as a Playmate and model, the German will be looking to do the same from the cockpit next year.
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