Jamie became only the second woman to test drive a Williams car after F1 Academy Managing Director Susie Wolff in 2015 and the first British woman since 2023 to drive a modern Formula 1 car. She now joins an exclusive list of women who have driven a Formula 1 car, alongside standout names such as Maria Theresa di Filippis – the first woman to enter an F1 race – and Lella Lombardi, who remains the only woman to finish in the points in Formula 1.
Jamie drove the FW47 car which clinched three podiums during the 2025 season and secured the team’s best Constructors’ Championship result since 2017. The 28-year-old Englishwoman impressed the team with her technical feedback and pace, while collecting invaluable insights for the team ahead of Portimão’s return to the Formula 1 calendar in 2027.
To get ready for the running at Portimão, Jamie undertook a detailed preparation programme including gym work, sim running and an F1 seat fit at Williams’ Grove HQ.
The entire journey was captured through Jamie’s eyes and will be shared across Williams and Sky F1 channels this weekend during the Azerbaijan GP. The experience will offer fans a rare and exclusive behind-the-scenes, access-all-areas viewpoint into the world of Formula 1, not from the perspective of the grandstands, but directly behind the wheel - showcasing what it takes to compete at the very highest level.
With a 14-year career spanning single-seaters, sportscars, and international championships, Jamie has repeatedly made history and is currently competing in the European Le Mans Series with the IDEC Sport LMP2 team and serves as reserve driver for Genesis Magma Racing in the FIA World Endurance Championship. Williams has been part of that journey since 2019, supporting her through some huge milestones - from three W Series titles to a standout run in Indy NXT with Andretti Autosport, where she became the first woman in 13 years to compete full-time in the series, the first woman in 14 years to podium, and the first woman in 15 years to win in Indy NXT.
Today, Jamie serves as the team’s F1 Academy Adviser, mentoring young drivers, sharing race-craft and insight from her own experience to support their development. Under Jamie’s tutelage, Williams’ current F1 Academy star Jade Jacquet secured a maiden victory in French F4 on Sunday – becoming the first female ever to win in the category. This test gives Jamie a new, unique perspective, helping the next generation of talent understand what it takes to reach the top.
Jamie has also been a long-standing advocate for Women in Motorsport, determined to inspire future racers and serve as a role model for women and girls. This commitment extends beyond her own racing career into her mentoring role through her karting series, which gives young drivers an accessible route into the sport and a platform to build their skills from an early age. It's a passion that mirrors Williams' own ambition to make motorsport more accessible – whether through Fan Zones presented by Kraken that bring the sport closer to communities, or early careers programmes that create pathways for people who might not otherwise see a way into F1.
Jamie Chadwick: "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 10 times more. I’m incredibly grateful to Atlassian Williams F1 Team for this opportunity. I remember being young and watching Susie Wolff step into a Williams F1 car and how much that inspired my own journey. 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. I’m so grateful and incredibly happy with how the day went. It’s an experience I’ll remember for a very long time - I’d go as far as saying it’s been the best day of my life so far."
James Vowles, Team Principal, Atlassian Williams F1 Team: “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. This clearly shows there is a path for women to compete at the top level, and I look forward to seeing how Jamie uses this experience to advance her own driving and advise our young drivers on what it takes to drive an F1 car.”
