Jamie Chadwick experienced what she calls "the best day of my life so far" after completing her inaugural Formula 1 test with the Williams team 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, logged 32 laps in the team's 2025 chassis under the FIA's Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) regulations on Monday. Chadwick is only the second woman to pilot an F1 machine this season, following Doriane Pin—2023 F1 Academy champion—who drove a 2021 Mercedes at Silverstone in April. She also becomes the first British female to test an F1 car since Jessica Hawkins took an Aston Martin out of the garage in 2023.
Having joined Williams as a development driver in 2019, Chadwick has already built a résumé that includes three consecutive W Series titles and a historic 2024 win in the Indy NXT series, making her the first woman to triumph on a road‑course event in that championship. "It was a phenomenal day and an incredible experience," Chadwick said after the run.
"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 sparked my own ambition. I'd love to inspire the next generation the way she inspired me, and the data I gathered today will help both my own development and the guidance I can give to up‑and‑coming drivers.
I'm so grateful and incredibly happy with how the day went; it's an experience I'll remember for a very long time—I'd even say it's the best day of my life so far." The significance of Chadwick's test extends beyond personal achievement. 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, while Italian driver Lella Lombardi remains the most recent female to start a Grand Prix, back in 1976.
James Vowles, Williams team principal, praised Chadwick's breakthrough: "Jamie Chadwick is an inspiration for millions of women and girls. She has broken records at every level and fully earned this F1 test with Atlassian Williams. Jamie delivered valuable data as we prepare to return to Portimão next year, and her feedback was as impressive as we expected. This clearly demonstrates a pathway for women to compete at the highest level, and I look forward to seeing how she uses this experience to advance her own racing and mentor our young drivers on what it takes to handle an F1 car." In preparation for the test, Chadwick described a rigorous regimen that combined simulator work, seat‑fit sessions, and an intensified neck‑strength program.
"I spent half a day in the sim, got the seat moulded, and tackled all the procedural checks," she explained to Sky Sports. "Because I race in LMP2, I already train my neck, but an F1 test demands an extra level of conditioning.
George Russell helped me with the neck work; after the first full session with him, I could barely turn my head the next morning! It’s amazing how much physical preparation goes into just being able to survive the forces in an F1 car." Chadwick was no stranger to the Portimão layout, having driven the circuit in the European Le Mans Series.
She noted that many of her fellow drivers consider the track mentally demanding due to its undulating flow and constant changes of direction. "Ollie Bearman said it's one of the toughest tracks mentally because the layout is so dynamic," she recalled.
"Most just tell you to enjoy it. Working with Sky Sports has given me a deeper understanding of Formula 1 strategy and technology, which has helped me in my other racing commitments. This test, however, pushes everything to a new extreme." Beyond the personal thrill, Chadwick's test carries broader implications for gender diversity in motorsport. Her visibility on a global stage, combined with her role as a commentator, provides a tangible role model for aspiring female racers.
The data she collected will feed into Williams' ongoing development program, potentially influencing aerodynamic setups, tyre management strategies, and driver‑feedback loops for the 2026 season. The weekend also marks the start of a busy Formula 1 calendar, with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku kicking off a triple‑header of races.
Sky Sports will broadcast the action live, offering viewers the chance to follow the drama on Saturday midday. Fans can stream the coverage via NOW, with flexible contracts and the ability to cancel at any time.
Overall, Jamie Chadwick's debut in a modern F1 car not only represents a milestone in her own career but also underscores the growing opportunities for women in the sport. Her blend of competitive success, media presence, and now proven F1 capability positions her as a leading figure in the push for greater inclusion and showcases the physical and mental demands that modern Formula 1 places on any driver, regardless of gender.