Jamie Chadwick experienced her inaugural Formula 1 test drive with the Williams team at Portugal’s Portimão circuit, calling the occasion "the best day of my life so far." The 28‑year‑old British driver, who also serves as a Williams ambassador and Sky Sports F1 analyst, completed 32 laps in the team’s 2025 chassis under the FIA’s Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) regulations on Monday. Chadwick’s outing makes her the second woman to pilot an F1 car this season, following Doriane Pin – the reigning F1 Academy champion – who logged a run in a 2021 Mercedes at Silverstone earlier in April. It also marks the first time a British female driver has taken an F1 wheel since Jessica Hawkins tested an Aston Martin in 2023.
Chadwick’s relationship with Williams stretches back to 2019 when she first joined the outfit as a development driver. Since then, she has amassed an impressive résumé: three consecutive championships in the all‑female W Series, a historic victory in the 2024 Indy NXT road‑course race that made her the first woman to win at that level, and a steady presence in the European Le Mans Series. Her varied background gave her a solid foundation for the unique demands of an F1 car.
"It was a phenomenal day and an incredible experience," Chadwick said after the test. "Very few things can truly prepare you for the sensation of taking a Formula 1 car around a track like Portimão at full speed, but it exceeded everything I imagined – by a factor of ten." She went on to thank the Atlassian Williams F1 Team for the chance, noting that she had watched former Williams driver Susie Wolff step into an F1 car as a youngster, an image that sparked her own ambitions. "I hope to inspire the next generation the way she inspired me," Chadwick added, emphasizing how the data she gathered would benefit both her own racing development and the guidance she can offer to up‑and‑coming drivers. "I’m so grateful and incredibly happy with how the day went – it’s an experience I’ll remember for a very long time.
In fact, I’d go as far as saying it’s been the best day of my life so far." Wolff remains the most recent woman to take part in a Friday practice session in F1, having done so in four outings across the 2014 and 2015 seasons for Williams. The last woman to start a Grand Prix was Italy’s Lella Lombardi in 1976. Williams team principal James Vowles praised Chadwick, stating, "Jamie Chadwick is an inspiration for millions of women and girls. She has broken records at every level and fully earned this test with Atlassian Williams F1 Team.
Jamie delivered valuable data for our preparations as we look to return to Portimão next year, and her feedback was exactly what we expected – impressive and insightful." Vowles added that Chadwick’s performance underscores a clear pathway for women to reach the sport’s pinnacle, and he looks forward to seeing how she leverages the experience to improve her own craft and mentor younger drivers. In a pre‑test interview with Sky Sports, Chadwick described the extensive preparation that went into the day. "I spent half a day in the simulator, got the seat fitted, and handled all the procedural checks," she explained. "Then I really ramped up my neck training.
Racing in LMP2 already demands a strong neck, but an F1 car pushes you to a whole new level." She credited fellow driver George Russell for assisting with her conditioning. "After a solid neck‑training session with George, I woke up the next morning barely able to move my head! It really puts into perspective how much physical work these drivers put in, not just behind the wheel but also in the gym." Chadwick had previously raced at Portimão in the European Le Mans Series, giving her some familiarity with the circuit’s demanding layout. She recounted conversations with other drivers, noting that Ollie Bearman described the track as mentally taxing due to its undulating flow and constant changes of direction.
"Most of them just say to enjoy it," she laughed, adding that her work with Sky Sports has already taught her a great deal about F1 strategy and technology, which she believes will now be taken to an "extreme" level with this hands‑on experience. Beyond the personal milestone, Chadwick’s test highlights the growing momentum for female participation in top‑tier motorsport.
The FIA’s recent initiatives, such as the Women in Motorsport Commission and the F1 Academy, aim to broaden the talent pool and provide clear development routes. Chadwick’s success serves as a tangible example of those pathways bearing fruit, encouraging young women worldwide to envision themselves behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car. The 2026 Formula 1 season continues to unfold on Sky Sports F1, with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix kicking off a three‑race weekend in Baku on Saturday at midday. Fans can stream the action via NOW, with flexible subscription options that allow cancellation at any time.