Jamie Chadwick experienced her first ever Formula 1 outing 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 28‑year‑old British driver, who also serves as a Williams ambassador and Sky Sports F1 analyst, completed 32 laps in the team's 2025 chassis under the FIA's Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) programme on Monday. Chadwick's run makes her the second woman to pilot an F1 machine this season, following Doriane Pin’s 2021 Mercedes test at Silverstone in April, and she is the first British female to do so since Jessica Hawkins took an Aston Martin out in 2023. Her journey with Williams began in 2019 when she was appointed a development driver, and she has since amassed a string of historic achievements. Chadwick dominated the all‑female W Series, winning every championship from its inception through 2022, and in 2024 she broke new ground by becoming the first woman to claim a victory on a road‑course in the U.S.‑based Indy NXT series.
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 added that the opportunity was made possible thanks to the Atlassian Williams F1 Team, recalling how she once watched former Williams driver Susie Wolff step into a Williams F1 car as a youngster, an image that sparked her own ambitions.
"I’d love to be able to do the same for the next generation," Chadwick explained, noting that the data she gathered and the insights she gained will benefit both her own racing career and the young drivers she mentors. "I’m so grateful and incredibly happy with how the day went – it’s an experience I’ll remember for a very long time, and I would go as far as saying it’s been the best day of my life so far." Williams team principal James Vowles praised Chadwick’s achievement, stating, "Jamie Chadwick is an inspiration for millions of women and girls. She has broken records at every level and 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 as impressive as we expected." Vowles emphasized that Chadwick’s participation demonstrates a clear pathway for women to compete at the sport’s highest tier, and he looks forward to seeing how she leverages the experience to further her own development and to advise Williams’ junior drivers. In preparation for the test, Chadwick described a rigorous regime that combined simulator work, seat‑fit sessions, and an intensified neck‑strength program.
"I did half a day in the sim, the seat fit and all the procedural stuff that you do beforehand," she told Sky Sports. "Then I started upping the neck training a lot.
Racing in LMP2 already requires a strong neck, but the demands of an F1 car are a step above." She credited fellow driver George Russell for assisting with the neck workouts, noting that after a particularly intense session she could barely turn her head the next morning. "It’s incredible when you realise what they go through not just in the car but also in the physical preparation," Chadwick said. Having previously raced the Algarve circuit in the European Le Mans Series, Chadwick was familiar with its challenging layout. She recounted conversations with other drivers, including Ollie Bearman, who described the track as mentally demanding because of its undulating flow and constant changes of direction.
"In the mind it’s very busy, but most have just said to enjoy it," Chadwick recalled. She also highlighted how her role as a Sky Sports analyst has deepened her understanding of Formula 1 technology and strategy, knowledge that she believes will translate into better performance across her various racing commitments.
Chadwick’s test is part of a broader movement to increase female representation in top‑level motorsport. The last woman to take part in a Friday practice session was Susie Wolff, who ran for Williams in four sessions across the 2014 and 2015 seasons. The most recent female Grand Prix starter was Italian driver Lella Lombardi, who entered the 1976 German Grand Prix. By adding her name to this short list, Chadwick not only adds another milestone to her own résumé but also provides a visible role model for aspiring female racers worldwide.
The excitement surrounding Chadwick’s outing coincided with the start of the 2026 Formula 1 season, which continued live on Sky Sports F1 with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix kicking off a triple‑header of races. Fans could follow the action via NOW, with the flexibility to cancel at any time. Chadwick’s historic day at Portimão underscores the growing opportunities for women in the sport and hints at a future where gender is no longer a barrier to the pinnacle of motor racing.