W Series star Jamie Chadwick joins Williams’ Driver Academy

Williams have signed Britain’s Jamie Chadwick to their Driver Academy in the role of Development Driver. Chadwick, who has had success in single-seaters and sportscars, is currently leading the new W Series championship.

Her Williams role will see Chadwick, 21, fully immersed into the F1 team both trackside and in their UK factory at Grove. Alongside a busy simulator programme, she will attend three European races, starting at the British Grand Prix, and support the team in a number of media and marketing activities.

“It is a great honour to be joining the Williams Racing Driver Academy,” said Chadwick. “The time in the simulator is a fantastic opportunity to aid with my development. I look forward to spending time in the factory at Grove, immersing myself within the team and assisting wherever I can. Being a part of the Driver Academy is an amazing platform and I’m excited to get started.”

Chadwick claimed the British GT4 title in 2015, became a British Formula 3 race winner in 2018, won the MRF Winter Series in 2018/19, and was the inaugural winner of the first W Series race earlier this month - all historic firsts for a female racing driver.

“I am delighted to confirm that Jamie Chadwick has joined the Williams Racing Driver Academy,” said Claire Williams, Deputy Team Principal, who witnessed first-hand Chadwick’s W Series victory at Hockenheim.

“Promoting women in motorsport is extremely important and having a female role model as part of our Driver Academy will hopefully inspire young girls to take up racing at a young age.

“We hope to show that motorsport is inclusive and exciting, be that as a driver or on the engineering side. Jamie is a great talent and I look forward to working with her.”

Chadwick joins Williams’ reserve driver Nicholas Latifi in the team’s Driver Academy.