Jamie Chadwick experienced what she describes as the "best day of my life so far" when she completed her inaugural Formula 1 test behind the wheel of a Williams car at Portugal’s Portimão circuit. The 28‑year‑old British driver, who also serves as a Williams brand ambassador and a Sky Sports F1 analyst, logged 32 laps in the team’s 2025 chassis under the FIA’s Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) regulations on Monday. The session was not only a personal milestone but also a historic moment for women in motorsport, as Chadwick became the second female driver to test an F1 car this year, following Doriane Pin’s 2021 Mercedes run at Silverstone, and the first British woman to do so since Jessica Hawkins piloted an Aston Martin in 2023. Chadwick’s journey with Williams began in 2019 when she was appointed a development driver.
Since then, she has built an impressive résumé: three consecutive championships in the all‑female W Series, a groundbreaking victory in the 2024 Indy NXT road‑course race – the first ever by a woman – and a steady presence in the European Le Mans Series. All these achievements culminated in the Portimão test, which she recounted as "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," Chadwick said after the run.
She praised the opportunity provided by the Atlassian Williams F1 Team, recalling how watching former Williams driver Susie Wolff step into an F1 car as a teenager had inspired her own aspirations. "I’d love to be able to do the same for the next generation," she added, noting that the data she collected and the feel of the car would inform both her future racing endeavors and the guidance she offers to emerging drivers.
Williams team principal James Vowles highlighted Chadwick’s role as a trailblazer, 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." Vowles also emphasized the practical value of her feedback, saying the team gathered important data ahead of the 2025 return to Portimão and that her performance met the high expectations set for the session. In preparation for the test, Chadwick described a rigorous regimen that combined simulator work, seat‑fit sessions, and intensive physical conditioning, especially neck training. "I did half a day in the sim, the seat fit and all the procedural stuff that you do beforehand," she explained to 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 the neck‑strength program, noting that after a particularly demanding session she could barely turn her head. Chadwick’s familiarity with the Portimão layout stems from previous European Le Mans races, and she shared insights from conversations with other drivers.
"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," she recounted.
Despite the track’s challenges, the consensus among her peers was to simply enjoy the experience. Beyond the personal thrill, Chadwick reflected on how her role with Sky Sports F1 has deepened her understanding of the sport’s technical and strategic aspects. "I feel like I learn a huge amount from Formula 1 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," she said, adding that the test represented an "extreme" step up from her usual responsibilities.
The significance of Chadwick’s test is further underscored by the rarity of women in F1 practice sessions. The last female driver to appear in a Friday practice was Susie Wolff, who completed four sessions across the 2014 and 2015 seasons for Williams. Prior to Wolff, Italian driver Lella Lombardi was the final woman to start a Grand Prix, doing so in 1976. Chadwick’s successful outing therefore serves as a tangible reminder that a clear pathway exists for women to compete at the pinnacle of motorsport.
Looking ahead, the 2026 Formula 1 calendar continues to unfold on Sky Sports F1, with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix kicking off a triple‑header of races. Fans can stream the action via NOW, enjoying the excitement of the Baku race on Saturday midday without a long‑term contract.
For Chadwick, however, the memory of that Portimão day will linger long after the season’s final checkered flag, marking a milestone that blends personal achievement, historic progress for women in racing, and a promise of future contributions both on and off the track.