Jamie Chadwick marked a historic milestone when she took the wheel of a Formula 1 car for the first time, completing a full test session with the Williams team at Portugal's iconic Algarve International Circuit in Portimão. The British driver, who also serves as a Williams ambassador and a regular Sky Sports F1 analyst, described the experience as "the best day of my life so far," a sentiment that captures both the personal significance and the broader impact of her achievement.
The test took place under the FIA's Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) regulations, which allow teams to run older chassis for development and data‑gathering purposes. Chadwick piloted the team's 2025-spec car for 32 laps, pushing the machinery around the fast, flowing layout that combines high‑speed straights with a series of technical corners. Her participation not only provided valuable feedback for Williams as they prepare for the 2026 season, but also underscored the growing presence of women in the highest echelons of motorsport.
At 28 years old, Chadwick is the second female driver to test an F1 car this year. The first was Doriane Pin, the reigning F1 Academy champion, who drove a 2021 Mercedes at Silverstone in April.
Before Pin, the most recent British woman to get behind an F1 wheel was Jessica Hawkins, who completed a test in an Aston Martin in 2023. Chadwick's involvement therefore continues a slowly expanding lineage of female talent gaining direct experience in Formula 1 machinery.
Chadwick's relationship with Williams dates back to 2019, when she joined the outfit as a development driver. Since then, she has built an impressive résumé: she dominated the all‑female W Series by winning the championship in each of its three seasons, and in 2024 she became the first woman to claim a victory on a road‑course in the United States‑based Indy NXT series. These achievements have cemented her reputation as a trailblazer and a consistent performer across a variety of racing disciplines. Reflecting on the day, Chadwick said, "It was a phenomenal day and an incredible experience.
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." She went on to express deep gratitude to the Atlassian Williams F1 Team for granting her the opportunity, noting that watching former Williams driver Susie Wolff step into an F1 car as a teenager had been a pivotal source of inspiration for her own career. "I would love to be able to do the same for the next generation," Chadwick added, emphasizing how the knowledge she gained would inform both her own racing and the mentorship she provides to emerging drivers. Williams team principal James Vowles echoed these sentiments, stating, "Jamie Chadwick is an inspiration for millions of women and girls who has broken records at every level, and she has thoroughly earned this F1 test opportunity with Atlassian Williams F1 Team.
Jamie gathered important data for the team as F1 prepares to return to Portimão next year, and her feedback and performance were impressive as we knew they would be. This clearly shows there is a path for women to compete at the top level, and I look forward to seeing how Jamie uses this experience to advance her own driving and advise our young drivers on what it takes to drive an F1 car." In preparation for the test, Chadwick described a rigorous regimen that blended simulator work, physical conditioning, and specific neck training—an essential component for handling the extreme G‑forces experienced in an F1 car.
"I did half a day in the sim, the seat fit and all the kind of procedural stuff that you do beforehand," she told Sky Sports. "And then I have actually been upping the neck training a lot.
Obviously racing LMP2, I train my neck anyway, but that is naturally stepped up for an F1 test. George Russell's been helping me a little bit with the preparation. I woke up the next morning after the first proper day of neck training I did with him, and I could barely move my head!" She highlighted the physical demands, noting that modern F1 drivers endure intense strain not only behind the wheel but also in the gym, where neck strength is crucial for maintaining control at corner entry speeds exceeding 300 km/h.
Chadwick also reflected on her familiarity with the Portimão circuit, having previously raced there in the European Le Mans Series. She recounted conversations with fellow drivers, such as Ollie Bearman, who described the track as mentally demanding due to its undulating flow and constantly changing braking points. "It's a very busy track in the mind," she said, adding that the consensus among her peers is to simply enjoy the challenge. The experience of driving a Formula 1 car, she noted, elevated that enjoyment to an "extreme" new level, providing insights that would benefit her in both her LMP2 commitments and her role as a Sky Sports analyst.
Historically, female participation in Formula 1 has been sparse. The last woman to take part in a Friday practice session was Susie Wolff, who completed four sessions for Williams across the 2014 and 2015 seasons.
Prior to Wolff, Italian driver Lella Lombardi remains the most recent woman to start a Grand Prix, doing so in 1976. Chadwick's test therefore represents a significant step forward, reinforcing the notion that the sport is gradually becoming more inclusive.
Beyond the personal triumph, Chadwick's test contributes valuable data for Williams as they refine the 2025 car ahead of the 2026 season. The team will analyze telemetry, tyre wear, and aerodynamic performance gathered during her laps, integrating her feedback into development plans. This collaborative approach demonstrates how driver diversity can enhance technical progress, offering fresh perspectives that may uncover performance gains.
Looking ahead, Chadwick's schedule remains packed. She will continue competing in the European Le Mans Series, where she races in the LMP2 class, and she will maintain her duties as a pundit for Sky Sports F1, providing analysis that benefits from her firsthand experience in a Formula 1 car. She also hinted at future aspirations, expressing a desire to return to an F1 cockpit, whether through a potential test with another team or a longer‑term seat, though she acknowledges that such opportunities are limited and highly competitive. For fans, Chadwick's story adds an inspiring narrative to the unfolding 2026 Formula 1 season, which is currently being broadcast live on Sky Sports F1.
The season features a triple‑header weekend, with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku kicking off on Saturday at midday, followed by additional races later in the week. Viewers can stream the action via NOW, with flexible subscription terms that allow cancellation at any time. In summary, Jamie Chadwick's inaugural F1 test with Williams stands as a landmark moment for both her career and the broader movement toward gender equality in motorsport. Her heartfelt description of the day as "the best day of my life so far" captures the emotional weight of achieving a lifelong dream, while the technical data she delivered underscores the practical value of her participation.
As the sport continues to evolve, Chadwick's example will likely inspire a new generation of female drivers to pursue their own paths to the pinnacle of racing.