Chadwick joins Williams Formula One Team as development driver

Jamie Chadwick, championship leader of the exciting new all-female W Series, has joined the Williams Formula One Team as development driver.

The Grove-based Acronis partner team announced the news on Monday, that will see Chadwick ‘fully immersed into the team both trackside and in the factory at Grove’. The role role will see her participate as a simulator driver whilst also attending three European races, beginning with the British Grand Prix.

Welcome to the team, @JamieChadwick55! pic.twitter.com/vTCDWGPo8p

— ROKiT WILLIAMS RACING (@WilliamsRacing) May 20, 2019

“It is a great honour to be joining the Williams Racing Driver Academy,” commented Chadwick in the team’s press release. “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.”

Absolutely over the moon to announce that I have joined the @WilliamsRacing Driver Academy as a Development Driver! 😁 Such a huge honour to be a part of the Williams F1 family! 🙌🏻 pic.twitter.com/zQevmVG0Lf

— Jamie Chadwick (@JamieChadwick55) May 20, 2019

Chadwick already boasts an impressive CV, claiming the 2014 British GT4 title before becoming the first female driver to win a British Formula 3 race in 2018. Having won the inaugural W Series race at Hockenheim, she followed up with a second place at Zolder last weekend. She also has experience of Formula E, having tested for Acronis partner team NIO following the Ad Diriyah e-Prix at the start of the season.

“I am delighted to confirm that Jamie Chadwick has joined the Williams Racing Driver Academy in the role of Development Driver,” commented Claire Williams, Deputy Team Principal. “I have had the pleasure of watching Jamie race first hand in Hockenheim where she claimed victory at the season opening W Series race. Alongside her on-track commitments, Jamie will undertake simulator work for Williams, be immersed both trackside and at the factory with the team and will participate in marketing activities.

“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.”

In competing as a development driver for the Williams team, Chadwick follows in the footsteps of current Venturi Formula E team boss Susie Wolff, who participated in practice sessions for Williams during 2014 and 2015.