Jamie Chadwick experienced what she calls "the best day of my life so far" when she got behind 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 serves as a Williams ambassador and a Sky Sports F1 analyst, completed 32 laps in the team’s 2025‑spec car under the FIA’s Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) programme on Monday. Chadwick’s outing makes her the second woman to test an F1 car in 2024, following Doriane Pin, the reigning F1 Academy champion, who drove a 2021‑model Mercedes at Silverstone earlier in the year.
She also becomes the first British female driver to take part in an F1 test since Jessica Hawkins maneuvered an Aston Martin in 2023. Chadwick first joined Williams in 2019 as a development driver, and her résumé already includes a clean sweep of the three‑season W Series championship and a historic 2024 victory in the Indy NXT road‑course race – the first win by a woman in that series. "It was a phenomenal day and an incredible experience," Chadwick said after the session.
"Few things can prepare you for driving a Formula 1 car at speed around a track like Portimão, but it was everything I imagined and ten times more. I’m incredibly grateful to Atlassian Williams F1 Team for this opportunity. I remember watching Susie Wolff step into a Williams car when I was a kid, and that moment inspired my whole career. I hope I can give the next generation the same spark, and the data I gathered today will help both my own development and the guidance I can offer to young drivers coming through the ranks.
I’m so grateful and happy with how the day went – it’s an experience I’ll remember for a very long time, and I can honestly say it’s been the best day of my life so far." Susie Wolff remains the most recent woman to take part in a Friday practice session for an F1 Grand Prix, having completed four practice runs for Williams across the 2014 and 2015 seasons. The last woman to start a Grand Prix was Italy’s Lella Lombardi in 1976. Williams team principal James Vowles praised Chadwick, stating, "Jamie Chadwick is an inspiration for millions of women and girls. She has broken records at every level and fully earned this test with Atlassian Williams.
Jamie delivered valuable data as we prepare to return to Portimão next year, and her feedback was exactly what we expected – impressive and insightful. This clearly demonstrates a pathway for women to compete at the highest level, and I look forward to seeing how she leverages this experience to improve her own racing and mentor our young drivers on what it takes to handle an F1 car." In a pre‑test interview with Sky Sports, Chadwick outlined the preparation that went into the day.
She spent half a day in the simulator to get the seat fit and run through procedural checks, then intensified her neck‑strength training. "Racing in LMP2 already forces me to train my neck, but an F1 test is another level," she explained. "George Russell helped me with the preparation – after a particularly tough neck‑training session with him, I could barely move my head the next morning!
It’s crazy how much physical conditioning goes into handling those G‑forces." Chadwick had previously tackled the Portimão layout in the European Le Mans Series, and she shared insights from other drivers. "Ollie Bearman told me the circuit is mentally demanding because of its undulating flow and constant changes. It keeps your brain busy, but most drivers just say to enjoy it," she recalled.
She added that her work with Sky Sports has deepened her understanding of F1 technology and strategy, which in turn benefits her performances in other categories. "This test takes everything to an extreme level," she said.
The broader context of the weekend includes the start of the 2026 Formula 1 season’s triple‑header, with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku kicking off on Saturday at midday. Sky Sports F1 will broadcast the race live, and viewers can stream the coverage via NOW with a flexible, cancel‑anytime subscription.
Chadwick’s historic run underscores the growing presence of women in top‑tier motorsport. Her achievements – from dominating the W Series to breaking barriers in Indy NXT and now testing an F1 car – illustrate a clear trajectory for female talent. The data she collected will feed into Williams’ development program, helping engineers fine‑tune the car for the upcoming season while also providing a benchmark for future female drivers aspiring to reach Formula 1.
As the sport continues to evolve, Chadwick’s story serves as a powerful reminder that perseverance, skill, and the right opportunities can combine to reshape the traditionally male‑dominated world of elite racing.