Jamie Chadwick experienced what she described as "the best day of my life so far" after completing her inaugural Formula 1 test behind the wheel of a Williams car at the Algarve International Circuit in Portimão, Portugal. The 28‑year‑old British driver, who also serves as a Williams brand ambassador and a Sky Sports F1 analyst, completed 32 laps in the team’s 2025‑spec chassis under the FIA’s Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) programme on Monday. Chadwick’s outing makes her the second woman to pilot an F1 machine this season, following Doriane Pin – the reigning F1 Academy champion – who logged a run in a 2021 Mercedes at Silverstone earlier in April.
She also becomes the first British female driver to test an F1 car since Jessica Hawkins took an Aston Martin out at Silverstone in 2023. Having joined Williams as a development driver in 2019, Chadwick has already built an impressive résumé. She dominated the all‑female W Series, winning the championship in each of its three seasons, and in 2024 she broke new ground by becoming the first woman to claim a victory on a road‑course in the US‑based Indy NXT series. Her diverse background spans single‑seaters, endurance racing in the European Le Mans Series, and a growing media presence as a pundit.
"It was a phenomenal day and an incredible experience," Chadwick said after the session. "Very few things can prepare you for the sensation of driving an F1 car at speed around a track like Portimão, but it exceeded everything I imagined – it was ten times more thrilling." She added a heartfelt tribute to the pioneers who inspired her journey. "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; that moment sparked my own ambition. I hope I can do the same for the next generation, and the data I gathered today will help both my own racing development and the guidance I can offer emerging drivers." Chadwick summed up the emotional impact of the day: "I’m so grateful and unbelievably happy with how everything unfolded. It’s an experience I’ll remember for a very long time – I would even 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 F1 practice session, having completed four runs for Williams across the 2014 and 2015 seasons.
The last woman to start a Grand Prix was Italy’s Lella Lombardi in 1976, underscoring how rare such opportunities remain. Williams team principal James Vowles praised Chadwick’s achievement, stating, "Jamie Chadwick is an inspiration for millions of women and girls.
She has shattered records at every level and fully earned this test with Atlassian Williams. Her feedback was valuable as we prepare for the return to Portimão next year, and her performance matched our high expectations." Vowles continued, "This clearly demonstrates a pathway for women to compete at the sport’s highest tier, and I look forward to seeing how Jamie leverages this experience to improve her own driving and to mentor our young talent on what it takes to handle an F1 car." In a pre‑test interview with Sky Sports, Chadwick explained the preparation that went into the day. "I spent half a day in the simulator, getting the seat fit and completing all the procedural checks. Then I really stepped up my neck training.
Racing in LMP2 already demands a strong neck, but an F1 car is a whole other level." She credited fellow driver George Russell for assisting with her physical prep. "After a solid neck‑training session with George, I woke up the next morning barely able to move my head. It made me appreciate just how intense the physical demands are for F1 drivers – it’s crazy." Chadwick had previously raced at Portimão in the European Le Mans Series, giving her a baseline familiarity with the circuit’s unique characteristics.
She recalled conversations with other drivers: "Ollie Bearman told me the track is mentally one of the toughest – it’s very undulating and constantly changing, so the mind stays busy. Most just say you have to enjoy it." She also reflected on how her role with Sky Sports has broadened her understanding of the sport.
"Working as a pundit has taught me a huge amount about Formula 1 strategy and technology, which feeds back into my own racing. This test takes that learning to an extreme level." The test took place under the FIA’s TPC regulations, which allow teams to run previous‑year cars for data collection and driver development.
While the 2025 Williams chassis is not the current spec for the 2026 season, the data gathered still informs aerodynamic and mechanical setups for the upcoming year. Chadwick’s performance was not only a personal milestone but also a symbolic moment for gender diversity in motorsport.
Her visibility on a high‑profile platform like Sky Sports, combined with her on‑track achievements, continues to challenge the perception that Formula 1 is an exclusively male arena. Looking ahead, the 2026 Formula 1 calendar continues to unfold with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, part of a triple‑header weekend that also includes the Saudi Arabian and Australian rounds. Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming available through NOW – no long‑term contract required, cancel anytime.