Jamie Chadwick experienced what she describes as the "best day of my life so far" when she took the wheel of a Formula 1 car for the first time, piloting a Williams machine at the Algarve International Circuit in Portimão, Portugal. The 28‑year‑old British driver, who also works as a Sky Sports F1 analyst and competes in the European Le Mans Series, completed 32 laps in the team’s 2025 chassis under the FIA’s Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) programme on Monday.
Chadwick’s outing makes her the second woman to drive an F1 car this season. The first was Doriane Pin, the reigning F1 Academy champion, who ran a 2021 Mercedes at Silverstone in April. Chadwick also becomes the first British female driver to test an F1 car since Jessica Hawkins took an Aston Martin onto the track in 2023.
Her involvement with Williams dates back to 2019, when she joined the outfit as a development driver, and her résumé has only grown since then. Before this historic test, Chadwick had already amassed a string of groundbreaking achievements.
She dominated the all‑female W Series, winning the championship in each of its three seasons, and in 2024 she made history again by becoming the first woman to win a road‑course race in the United States‑based Indy NXT series. These milestones have cemented her reputation as a trailblazer for women in motorsport, and the opportunity to drive a modern F1 car was a natural next step. "It was a phenomenal day and an incredible experience," Chadwick told reporters after the session. "Very few things can truly prepare you for the sensation of driving a Formula 1 car at speed around a circuit like Portimão, but it was everything I imagined and ten times more." She went on to thank the Atlassian Williams F1 Team for the chance, recalling how, as a youngster, she watched former Williams driver‑turned‑pioneer Susie Wolff take the wheel of a Williams F1 car.
"That moment inspired my own journey," Chadwick said. "I would love to be that source of inspiration for the next generation, and the knowledge I gained today will influence both my own racing and the guidance I can give to upcoming drivers." Chadwick summed up the emotional weight of the day by calling it "the best day of my life so far," a sentiment that resonated with team principal James Vowles. Vowles praised her as "an inspiration for millions of women and girls," noting that she has shattered records at every level of competition.
He added that Chadwick collected valuable data for the team as Formula 1 prepares to return to Portimão next year, and that her feedback was as impressive as the team had anticipated. "This clearly shows there is a path for women to compete at the top level," Vowles said. "I look forward to seeing how Jamie uses this experience to advance her own driving and to advise our young drivers on what it takes to handle an F1 car." In the lead‑up to the test, Chadwick explained the preparation routine she followed.
"I spent half a day in the simulator, got the seat fitted and went through all the procedural checks," she told Sky Sports. "Then I really stepped up my neck training. Racing in LMP2 already demands a strong neck, but the forces in an F1 car are a whole different animal." She credited fellow driver George Russell for helping her with the physical preparation.
"After a solid neck‑training session with George, I woke up the next morning and could barely move my head," she laughed. "It makes you appreciate the sheer physical strain these drivers endure, not just in the car but also in the gym." Chadwick was no stranger to the Portimão layout, having raced there in the European Le Mans Series. She recalled conversations with other drivers about the circuit’s demanding nature.
"Ollie Bearman told me that mentally it’s one of the toughest tracks – the flow is very undulating and there’s a lot happening at once. It can feel busy in the mind," she said. "Most of them just say to enjoy it, and that’s what I tried to do." Beyond the raw speed, Chadwick highlighted how her role as a Sky Sports analyst has deepened her understanding of Formula 1 technology and strategy, knowledge that she believes will benefit her in all her racing endeavours.
"Learning from F1 on a daily basis has already helped me in my other series, but this test takes that learning to an extreme level," she remarked. The test also underscored the broader context of women’s participation in top‑level motorsport. The last woman to take part in an official F1 Friday practice session was Susie Wolff, who ran four sessions for Williams across the 2014 and 2015 seasons. The final woman to start a Grand Prix was Italy’s Lella Lombardi, who entered the 1976 German Grand Prix.
Chadwick’s successful run adds another chapter to that legacy and demonstrates the growing opportunities for female drivers. As the 2026 Formula 1 season continues, Sky Sports will broadcast the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the first of a triple‑header weekend that also includes the Baku race on Saturday at midday. Fans can stream the coverage via NOW, with flexible contracts and the option to cancel at any time. Overall, Jamie Chadwick’s inaugural F1 test was more than a personal milestone; it was a vivid illustration of how perseverance, talent, and support from progressive teams like Williams can open doors for women in the highest echelons of motorsport.
The data she gathered, the physical challenges she overcame, and the inspiration she provided will likely echo throughout the paddock for years to come.