Jamie Chadwick recently had the chance to get behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car for the very first time, and she says it was "the best day of my life so far." The British driver, who serves as a Williams ambassador and works as a Sky Sports F1 analyst, completed a 32‑lap run in the team’s 2025 chassis at the Algarve International Circuit in Portimão, Portugal, under the FIA’s Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) regulations. The session, held on a Monday, marked a historic moment for Chadwick. At 28 years old, she became the second woman to drive an F1 car in 2024, following Doriane Pin’s 2021 Mercedes test at Silverstone in April, and the first British female to do so since Jessica Hawkins piloted an Aston Martin in 2023. Chadwick’s association with Williams dates back to 2019, when she first joined the outfit as a development driver.
Since then, she has built an impressive résumé: three consecutive W Series championships, a groundbreaking win in the Indy NXT road‑course event in 2024, and regular competition in the European Le Mans Series. "It was a phenomenal day and an incredible experience," Chadwick said after the run.
"Very few things can truly prepare you for the sensation of a Formula 1 car at speed on a track as demanding as Portimão, but it turned out to be everything I imagined and ten times more." She went on to thank the Atlassian Williams F1 Team for the opportunity, recalling how watching former Williams driver Susie Wolff step into an F1 car as a youngster had sparked her own ambitions. "I hope I can inspire the next generation the way she inspired me," she added, noting that the data she gathered and the confidence she gained would be valuable both for her own racing development and for mentoring younger drivers within the Williams academy.
"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 even say it’s been the best day of my life so far." Williams team principal James Vowles praised Chadwick’s achievement, describing her as "an inspiration for millions of women and girls" who have "broken records at every level." He highlighted that her performance provided useful data for the team as they prepare for the next year’s visit to Portimão, and he emphasized that her feedback was exactly what the engineers expected. "This clearly shows there is a pathway for women to compete at the highest level," Vowles said, adding that he looks forward to seeing how Chadwick leverages the experience to improve her own driving and to advise the team’s young talent on what it takes to handle an F1 machine. In a pre‑test interview with Sky Sports, Chadwick explained the preparation that went into the day. She spent half a day in the simulator to get the seat fit and run through procedural checks.
More physically demanding was the neck‑strength training, which she intensified to cope with the extreme G‑forces of an F1 car. "Racing in LMP2 already forces me to train my neck, but the F1 test required a whole new level," she said. She credited fellow driver George Russell for assisting with the neck regimen, recalling how after a particularly intense session she could barely turn her head. "It’s incredible when you realize what drivers endure – not just in the car but also in the physical preparation.
It’s crazy," she laughed. Chadwick had previously raced at Portimão in the European Le Mans Series, giving her some familiarity with the circuit’s unique character.
She noted that many drivers describe the track as mentally demanding because of its undulating layout and constant flow of corners. "Ollie Bearman told me it’s one of the toughest tracks mentally – the flow is very undulating and there’s a lot going on, so the mind stays busy," she recalled.
Despite the challenge, the consensus among her peers is to simply enjoy the experience. Beyond the test itself, Chadwick reflected on how her role with Sky Sports has broadened her understanding of Formula 1. "Working as a pundit gives me insight into the technical and strategic aspects of the sport, which helps me in my own racing endeavors," she said. "But this test takes everything to a new, extreme level." The significance of Chadwick’s test extends beyond personal achievement.
The last woman to take part in an official F1 Friday practice session was Susie Wolff, who completed four sessions for Williams across the 2014 and 2015 seasons. The last female driver to start a Grand Prix was Italy’s Lella Lombardi in 1976. By adding her name to this short list, Chadwick helps keep the conversation about gender diversity alive in the pinnacle of motorsport. Looking ahead, the 2026 Formula 1 season continues to unfold on Sky Sports F1, with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku kicking off a triple‑header weekend.
Fans can stream the action via NOW, with flexible contracts and the option to cancel at any time. Chadwick’s historic test serves as a reminder that the sport is evolving, and that opportunities for talented women drivers are expanding, paving the way for future milestones on and off the track.