Jamie Chadwick experienced her first ever Formula 1 test behind the wheel of a Williams car at the Algarve International Circuit in Portugal, calling the occasion "the best day of my life so far." The Williams ambassador, who also serves as a Sky Sports F1 analyst and competes in the European Le Mans Series, completed 32 laps in the team's 2025-spec chassis under the FIA's Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) regulations on Monday. At 28, Chadwick becomes the second female driver to test an F1 machine this season, following Doriane Pin—who piloted a 2021 Mercedes at Silverstone in April—and the first British woman to do so since Jessica Hawkins ran an Aston Martin in 2023. Chadwick first joined Williams in 2019 as a development driver and has since built an impressive résumé: she swept all three seasons of the all‑female W Series and, in 2024, broke new ground by becoming the first woman to win a road‑course race in the US‑based Indy NXT championship.
"It was a phenomenal day and an incredible experience," Chadwick said after the session. "Very few things can truly prepare you for taking a Formula 1 car to the limit around a track like Portimão, but it exceeded every expectation—ten times over." She went on to thank the team, noting the personal significance of the moment. "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 inspire the next generation in the same way, and the knowledge I gained today will shape both my own racing and the guidance I can offer emerging drivers." Chadwick summed up the emotional impact succinctly: "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 would even say it's been the best day of my life so far." For context, Susie Wolff remains the most recent woman to take part in a Friday practice session in F1, having completed four runs across the 2014 and 2015 seasons for Williams. The last woman to start a Grand Prix was Italy's Lella Lombardi in 1976. 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 F1 test with Atlassian Williams. Her data collection was valuable as we prepare to return to Portimão next year, and her performance matched our high expectations. This clearly demonstrates a pathway for women to compete at the sport's pinnacle, and I look forward to seeing how she leverages this experience to advance her own career and mentor our young drivers." In a pre‑test interview with Sky Sports, Chadwick described her preparation routine. "I spent half a day in the simulator, got the seat fitted, and handled all the procedural checks," she explained.
"Then I intensified my neck training. Racing in LMP2 already demands a strong neck, but an F1 test raises the requirement dramatically.
George Russell helped me with the regimen; after the first intense session, I could barely move my head the next morning! It really puts into perspective the physical demands drivers face—not just in the car but also in the gym." Chadwick had previously raced at Portimão in the European Le Mans Series, giving her some familiarity with the circuit's character.
"Ollie Bearman told me the track is mentally one of the toughest—its undulating flow keeps you busy at all times," she recalled. "Most drivers simply advise you to enjoy it. My work with Sky Sports has taught me a lot about Formula 1, which has helped me across all my other commitments, but this test took everything to a new, extreme level." 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 slated for Saturday midday. Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports F1 via NOW, with flexible subscription terms.
Chadwick's historic test not only adds a personal milestone but also reinforces the growing momentum for female participation in top‑tier motorsport. Her success underscores the importance of role models, the necessity of rigorous physical preparation, and the evolving openness of teams like Williams to nurture talent regardless of gender.
As the sport moves forward, moments like these signal a future where more women will have the chance to sit behind the wheel of the world's fastest racing machines, inspiring the next wave of drivers to chase their own "best day of their lives."