Jamie Chadwick marked a historic milestone when she completed her inaugural Formula 1 test session behind the wheel of a Williams car 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, described the experience as "the best day of my life so far." The test took place on a Monday under the FIA’s Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) regulations, which permit teams to run older chassis for data‑gathering purposes. Chadwick completed 32 laps in the team’s 2025‑spec car, a machine that currently competes on the 2026 F1 grid and routinely reaches the podium. Her stint was part of Williams’ broader programme to collect aerodynamic and tyre data ahead of the circuit’s return to the championship calendar next year.
Chadwick is only the second woman to drive an F1 car in 2024, following Doriane Pin, the reigning F1 Academy champion, who piloted a 2021 Mercedes at Silverstone in April. She also becomes the first British female driver to test an F1 machine since Jessica Hawkins took an Aston Martin onto the track in 2023. Her journey with Williams began in 2019 when she was appointed as a development driver, a role that has seen her contribute to the team’s simulator work and promotional activities. Beyond her work with Williams, Chadwick has built an impressive résumé across several racing categories.
She dominated the all‑female W Series, winning the championship three years in a row, and in 2024 she broke new ground by becoming the first woman to claim a victory on a road‑course in the US‑based Indy NXT series. These achievements have cemented her reputation as a trailblazer for women in motorsport. Reflecting on the test, 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 expressed deep gratitude to the Atlassian Williams F1 Team for the opportunity, recalling how watching former Williams driver Susie Wolff step into an F1 car as a teenager had inspired her own ambitions. "I’d love to be able to do the same for the next generation, and the experience I gained today will make a real difference both to my own racing and to what I can pass on to the drivers coming through," she added. Williams team principal James Vowles praised Chadwick’s achievement, 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." Vowles highlighted that Chadwick’s involvement demonstrates a clear pathway for women to reach the sport’s pinnacle and expressed confidence that the knowledge she gained will benefit both her own development and the guidance she can offer to younger drivers.
In preparation for the test, Chadwick detailed a rigorous regimen that combined simulator work, physical conditioning, and specific neck‑strength training. "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." She noted that George Russell, the 2022 World Champion, assisted her with the neck‑exercise program, pushing her to the point where she could barely move her head the following morning. "It’s incredible, actually, when you realise what they are going through in terms of not just the car, but also the training that they have to do for the necks at the moment. It’s crazy," she said.
Chadwick was no stranger to the Portimão layout, having previously raced there in the European Le Mans Series. She recounted conversations with fellow drivers about the circuit’s demanding nature.
"Ollie Bearman said mentally it’s one of the toughest tracks, actually. The flow is very undulating, there’s a lot going on.
In the mind it’s very busy," she explained. Despite the mental challenge, the consensus among drivers was to simply enjoy the experience. Her role as a Sky Sports analyst also provides her with a unique perspective on Formula 1 technology and strategy, knowledge she believes will translate into better performance on the track. "I feel like I learn a huge amount from Formula 1 just generally in the role that I have with Sky Sports, which has helped me a lot in all the other stuff that I’m doing.
But I think this is going to take a new, extreme one from that," she said. The broader context of women in F1 remains significant.
Susie Wolff remains the last female driver to take part in a Friday practice session, having completed four sessions across the 2014 and 2015 seasons for Williams. Italian driver Lella Lombardi, who entered the 1976 German Grand Prix, is still the most recent woman to start a Formula 1 race.
Chadwick’s test therefore adds another chapter to a slowly growing narrative of female participation at the sport’s highest level. Looking ahead, the 2026 Formula 1 season continues to unfold with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix kicking off a triple‑header of races this week. Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming available through NOW – a flexible, contract‑free option that can be cancelled at any time.
Chadwick’s historic day at Portimão not only provided her with unforgettable memories but also underscored the increasing opportunities for women to break into the elite ranks of motorsport, inspiring a new generation of aspiring racers.