Jamie Chadwick made history on Monday when she completed her inaugural Formula 1 test drive for the Williams team at the Algarve International Circuit in Portugal, calling the experience "the best day of my life so far." The 28‑year‑old British driver, who also works as a Sky Sports F1 analyst and competes in the European Le Mans Series, spent a full session behind the wheel of Williams' 2025 chassis, completing 32 laps under the FIA's Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) regulations. Chadwick is only the second woman to pilot an F1 car this calendar year. The first was Doriane Pin, the reigning F1 Academy champion, who took a 2021‑spec Mercedes for a run at Silverstone in April.
Before Pin, the most recent British female to get behind an F1 steering wheel was Jessica Hawkins, who tested an Aston Martin in 2023. Chadwick herself first joined Williams in 2019 as a development driver, and her résumé has been building ever since. She dominated the all‑female W Series, winning the championship in each of its three seasons, and in 2024 she broke new ground by becoming the first woman to capture a road‑course victory in the US‑based Indy NXT series. "It was a phenomenal day and an incredible experience," Chadwick said after the run.
"Very few things can truly prepare you for taking a Formula 1 car to the limit around a circuit like Portimão, but the reality far exceeded everything I imagined – it was ten times more amazing." She went on to thank the team that made the day possible. "I'm incredibly grateful to Atlassian Williams F1 Team for this opportunity. I still 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 data I gathered today will help both my own development and the guidance I can give to up‑and‑coming drivers." Chadwick summed up the emotional weight of the occasion: "I'm so grateful and unbelievably happy with how the day unfolded. It's an experience I'll carry with me forever – I would even say it's been the best day of my life so far." For context, Susie Wolff remains the last woman to have taken part in an official Friday practice session in Formula 1, completing four practice runs across the 2014 and 2015 seasons with Williams.
The final woman to start a Grand Prix was Italian driver Lella Lombardi, who entered the 1976 German Grand Prix. Williams team principal James Vowles praised Chadwick's achievement, noting her broader impact on the sport. "Jamie Chadwick is an inspiration to millions of women and girls. She has shattered records at every level and has fully earned this test with Atlassian Williams.
Her feedback was valuable as we prepare to return to Portimão next year, and her performance lived up to our expectations. This clearly demonstrates a viable pathway for women to reach the sport's pinnacle, and I look forward to seeing how she leverages this experience both on track and as a mentor to our young drivers." In a pre‑test interview with Sky Sports, Chadwick described the preparation that went into the day. "I spent half a day in the simulator, got the seat fitted, and ran through all the procedural checks.
Then I really focused on neck training. Racing LMP2 already demands a strong neck, but the forces in an F1 car are a whole different beast. George Russell helped me with a specific neck‑strength routine; after the first intense session I could barely turn my head!
It really puts into perspective how much physical conditioning is required beyond just driving skill." Chadwick had already raced at Portimão in the European Le Mans Series, giving her a baseline familiarity with the circuit's unique characteristics. She recounted conversations with fellow drivers about the track's mental demands. "Ollie Bearman told me the layout is one of the toughest mentally – the undulating flow keeps you constantly engaged. Most people just say you have to enjoy it, but the concentration required is massive." She also highlighted how her role as a Sky Sports analyst has deepened her understanding of Formula 1 technology and strategy, which she believes will feed back into her own racing endeavors.
"Working with the broadcast team gives me insights into data analysis, tire management, and racecraft that I can apply on the track. This test adds an extreme layer to that knowledge." Looking ahead, the 2026 Formula 1 season continues to unfold on Sky Sports F1, with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix kicking off a triple‑header weekend in Baku. Fans can stream the action via NOW, with flexible contracts and the option to cancel at any time. Overall, Chadwick's successful test not only marks a personal milestone but also serves as a visible signpost for gender diversity in motorsport.
By delivering solid lap times, providing useful telemetry, and expressing a genuine desire to mentor future talent, she reinforces the message that the highest echelons of racing are increasingly accessible to women who possess the skill, determination, and support needed to compete at that level.