Chadwick Tests Williams F1 Car for First Time: 'Best Day of My Life'

Jamie Chadwick described her first Formula 1 test with Williams at Portimao as "the best day of my life so far," completing 32 laps in the team's 2025 car under F1's Testing of Previous Cars rules. The 28-year-old British driver called the experience "everything I imagined and 10 times more," becoming the first woman to test an F1 car since Doriane Pin's April run with Mercedes.

Why it matters:

• Chadwick's test is a landmark for female representation in F1, offering a visible pathway for women to reach the sport's highest level.
• As a three-time W Series champion and the first woman to win a road course race in Indy NXT, Chadwick's milestone resonates beyond the track, reinforcing Williams' push for inclusivity.

The details:

• Chadwick, a Williams ambassador and Sky Sports F1 pundit, currently races in the European Le Mans Series.
• She completed 32 laps in the 2025 Williams, a car that finished on the podium last season, at the Algarve circuit.
• Her preparation included a half-day simulator session, seat fitting, and intensified neck training. George Russell helped with her training, leaving her unable to move her head the next day.
• She is the first woman to drive an F1 car since Doriane Pin in April; Jessica Hawkins drove an Aston Martin in 2023. Susie Wolff remains the last woman to take part in a Friday practice session, while Lella Lombardi was the last to start a Grand Prix in 1976.

What's next:

• Chadwick hopes her test will inspire the next generation, just as Susie Wolff's Williams outings inspired her own journey.
• Team principal James Vowles praised her feedback and performance, noting she gathered important data as F1 prepares to return to Portimao next year.
• "This clearly shows there is a path for women to compete at the top level," Vowles said.