Jamie Chadwick recently had the extraordinary opportunity to get behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car for the very first time, piloting a Williams machine at the iconic Portimão circuit in Portugal. The British driver described the experience as "the best day of my life so far," a sentiment that captures both the thrill of the moment and the significance of her achievement. The test took place on a Monday under the FIA's Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) regulations, which allow teams to run older-spec cars for data‑gathering purposes. Chadwick completed 32 laps in the 2025‑spec Williams chassis, a car that currently sits on the podium in the 2025 season.
The session was part of the broader preparation for the 2026 Formula 1 calendar, which will see the sport return to Portimão next year. At 28 years old, Chadwick becomes the second woman to drive a modern F1 car this year. The first was Doriane Pin, the reigning F1 Academy champion, who tested a 2021 Mercedes at Silverstone in April. Chadwick also follows in the footsteps of fellow Briton Jessica Hawkins, who took an Aston Martin onto the track in 2023.
Her involvement marks a growing trend of female drivers being given genuine opportunities in the sport's top tier. Chadwick's relationship with Williams dates back to 2019, when she joined the team as a development driver. Since then, she has built an impressive résumé: she won three consecutive championships in the all‑female W Series, and in 2024 she made history by becoming the first woman to win a road‑course race in the Indy NXT series in the United States. In addition to her racing duties, she serves as a Sky Sports F1 pundit and competes in the European Le Mans Series, showcasing a versatile skill set that spans sprint‑type formula cars and endurance prototypes.
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 expressed deep gratitude to the Atlassian Williams F1 Team for granting her the chance, noting that watching former Williams driver Susie Wolff step into an F1 car as a youngster had profoundly inspired her own career path. "I would love to be able to do the same for the next generation," Chadwick added, emphasizing how the data and insights she gathered will not only aid her personal development but also benefit the young drivers she mentors.
Williams team principal James Vowles praised Chadwick, 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 successful run demonstrates a clear pathway for women to reach the sport's pinnacle and expressed confidence that she will leverage the experience to enhance her own racing and guide upcoming talent. In preparation for the test, Chadwick described a rigorous regimen that combined simulator work, seat‑fit sessions, and intensive physical 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. "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 credited fellow driver George Russell for assisting with neck conditioning, noting that after a particularly demanding session she could barely move her head. This anecdote underscores the often‑overlooked physical demands of Formula 1, where drivers experience sustained lateral G‑forces that require a remarkably strong neck and core. Chadwick was no stranger to the Portimão layout, having previously tackled it in the European Le Mans Series.
She recounted conversations with other drivers about the circuit's character: "Ollie Bearman said mentally it's one of the toughest tracks, actually. The flow is very undulating and there’s a lot going on. In the mind it’s very busy, but most have just said to enjoy it." The Algarve circuit is renowned for its fast, flowing corners and dramatic elevation changes, making it a favorite among drivers for testing high‑speed aerodynamics and brake performance.
Beyond the personal milestone, Chadwick believes her experience will have a ripple effect throughout the sport. She noted that her role at Sky Sports provides a unique perspective on Formula 1 technology and strategy, knowledge that she can now enrich with first‑hand driving experience. "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 Formula 1 remains significant. The last woman to take part in a Friday practice session was Susie Wolff, who completed four sessions for Williams during the 2014 and 2015 seasons. The most recent female Grand Prix starter was Italy's Lella Lombardi, who raced in 1976. Chadwick's test therefore adds to a slowly growing list of female milestones, highlighting both progress and the work still needed to achieve true gender parity in motorsport.
As the 2026 season unfolds, fans can continue to follow the action on Sky Sports F1, where the Azerbaijan Grand Prix will kick off a triple‑header of races, with the Baku event scheduled for Saturday at midday. Viewers can stream Sky Sports through NOW, enjoying a flexible, contract‑free experience. In summary, Jamie Chadwick's inaugural Formula 1 test with Williams was more than a personal triumph; it was a statement about the evolving opportunities for women in the highest echelons of racing. Her blend of technical feedback, physical preparation, and inspirational narrative provides a template for aspiring female drivers and reinforces the message that the doors to F1 are opening wider, one historic lap at a time.