In a landmark moment for women in motorsport, former W Series champion Jamie Chadwick completed a full‑day test in a Williams F1 car on Thursday. The 25‑year‑old, who has already broken barriers in single‑seaters, drove the FW44 during the team’s “Testing of Previous Cars” programme at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Per Autosport, Chadwick’s lap times were competitive, and the Williams team praised her pace and composure on the track.
Chadwick’s test places her alongside a handful of women who have piloted an F1 car in a testing capacity – a list that includes Lella Lombardi, Susie Wolff, and more recently, Mercedes‑F1’s test driver, Sarah Fisher. Motorsport.com noted that the experience was part of Williams’ ongoing effort to broaden the sport’s appeal and to showcase the talent of drivers from diverse backgrounds. While the test was not a race‑ready session, the data collected will inform the team’s development programme and could open doors for future opportunities.
For Indian fans, Chadwick’s achievement is a reminder that the sport is becoming increasingly inclusive. The test took place on a Saturday afternoon, and the session was streamed live on the Williams YouTube channel, allowing viewers worldwide to watch the historic laps. Fans in India can also catch the live coverage on FanCode, which streams the entire F1 season in real time with commentary in Hindi and English. The session is scheduled to air on FanCode’s “F1 Live” channel at 8:00 PM IST, providing a convenient viewing time for the Indian audience.
While Chadwick has yet to secure a permanent seat in F1, her performance has already generated buzz across the paddock. The Williams team’s chief technical officer, Mike Gascoyne, highlighted that the data from Chadwick’s runs will be valuable for the team’s aerodynamic development. If the results continue to impress, it could pave the way for more female drivers to step onto the world’s biggest racing stage.
Source: Autosport, Motorsport.com