(Motorsport) Reigning W Series champion Jamie Chadwick has reiterated that her goal remains to be a Formula 1 driver and that by joining Indy NXT, the experience could help her make a practice appearance for Williams Racing next season. The British driver is the first woman in 13 years to compete in the American racing series, which is the chief support event for IndyCar. The 24 year old has joined Andretti Autosport but has one eye on Formula 1 in order to compete at the highest level.

“My goals are still really open. I’d love to race in IndyCar one day but ultimately Formula 1 is a big goal of mine. I think there’s a lot I need to achieve before F1 is even on the cards. I think Indy NXT is potentially a really good opportunity, if I have success in it, to actually give me a chance of getting a good seat over in something like Formula 2 or Formula 3. I kind of see it as still being quite fluid. My career path has never been particularly traditional, so this is another route I’m looking at. 

“I’m very lucky that Williams are very supportive of the next step that I’m taking and I think it’s important that I continue to have a good relationship with Williams, and ultimately F1 and Europe. I don’t see it as I’m going over to America and only focused on that now, I see it as being quite fluid and that there are opportunities and doors that are going to open if I can have success in Indy NXT. I’m hoping to actually evolve that role. We’ll see, if there’s a chance to get in the car, that’s the ultimate goal. 

“Ultimately my aim is to try to get in the car for a practice session. Obviously, there’s nothing confirmed yet or anything like that, but the last couple of years that’s something I’ve been pushing hard for, so hopefully it’s something we can do. For me, I want that to be my goal. There’s still a big step up to driving a Formula 1 car from where I was at in W Series but I’m hoping now that as a result of being involved in a championship like Indy NXT, that step is a bit closer and those opportunities can come.”

Jamie Chadwick

Chadwick has won all three editions of the W Series since its inception and the Indy NXT will provide her with invaluable experience as she looks to represent Williams Racing in an F1 Grand Prix weekend. If she succeeds, she will become the sixth female racer in Formula 1 history after Lella Lombardi, Maria Teresa de Filippis, Divina Galica, Desiré Wilson and Giovanna Amati. 

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