Chadwick: Bad days were seen as a reflection on my gender

Jamie Chadwick has opened up about the mental weight of being a prominent female driver, admitting that bad days on track were often treated as a reflection on her gender.

Speaking on the Significant Figures podcast, the three-time W Series champion said she wanted to be judged purely on merit—not as a representative for all women in motorsport.

Why it matters:

Chadwick's comments show how much scrutiny female drivers faced before F1 Academy and the recent wave of women in the sport. They also highlight the pressure trailblazers carried while trying to prove they belonged.

The details:

• Chadwick said she felt pressure whenever she wasn't fast: "I don't want to have to... if I am slow, it's not because I'm a woman. I'm slow because I'm slow today. Just let me be slow."
• She explained that four or five years ago, with so few women competing, "it felt like the eyeballs are on you as a woman rather than as a racing driver."
• She added that she would happily "wave the female flag" if she were fast every day, but she isn't—and that became a weight she carried.
• Now, with more women in the sport, she says that burden is lighter.

The big picture:

Chadwick made history as the first female and youngest British GT champion in 2015, then raced in British F3 and won three straight W Series titles from 2019 to 2022. She later became the first woman to win an Indy NXT race on a road or street course, and has also raced in ELMS and Extreme E. She currently serves as a Williams Racing ambassador and F1 Academy adviser.

What's next:

Chadwick's current role puts her close to the next generation of female racers. Her comments are a reminder that increasing female participation isn't just about opportunity—it's about creating an environment where drivers are judged on speed alone.