Jamie Chadwick’s Legacy in Motion: Racing, Mentorship, and a Bright Future

 Few drivers in modern motorsport embody both talent and tenacity quite like Jamie Chadwick. A three-time W Series champion, an Atlassian Williams Racing ambassador, and now a competitor in the fiercely demanding world of American open-wheel racing, Chadwick has carved out a path that is both unique and inspiring. While she is often hailed as a role model for women in motorsport, it is essential to recognize her for what she is first and foremost - a formidable racing driver, accomplished in her own right.

 I had the opportunity to sit down with Jamie to discuss her journey and gain her insights into the world of motorsport. This conversation took place at Komatsu’s International Women’s Day event earlier this month. As the Principal Partner of Atlassian Williams Racing, Komatsu reaffirmed its commitment to promoting women not only in motorsport but also in male-dominated industries. Earlier in the day, alongside Komatsu’s other sporting partners, Jamie shared her experiences and heartfelt advice with a global audience of Komatsu employees.

Like many young racers, Chadwick’s journey began in karting, where she first developed her love for speed and competition. "I started in the sport in go-karts, purely following my older brother into it" she recalls.  “It was definitely a hobby initially, something I did sort of once a month on a Sunday for fun, and then it kind of grew from there. My passion for the sport grew, and I started prioritising it".

Turning racing from a passion into a career is never guaranteed, especially in an arena as competitive as motorsport. Unlike many of her male counterparts, Chadwick did not have a rigidly mapped-out junior career. Instead, she took opportunities as they came, adapting to different disciplines, from GT racing to single-seaters, she found her footing as a dominant force in the W Series. "I didn’t necessarily always have a structured plan" she explains. " I think competing in so many different categories has definitely helped. The more versatile you can be, the more you can learn about different environments, different cars, different cultures of race teams."

That adaptability would become one of Chadwick’s greatest strengths, allowing her to thrive in various championships rather than following a conventional single-seater ladder.

For many, Chadwick’s name is synonymous with the W Series, an all-female single seater championship that sought to create a platform for women in motorsport. If the series had one undisputed icon, it was her.

Across its three seasons, Chadwick was untouchable, securing every championship title before the series was ultimately discontinued. "I’ll always be a huge advocate for the W Series" she says. "It’s what shaped my career and gave not just me, but so many other female drivers amazing opportunities."

While W Series provided a much-needed platform, its financial model ultimately proved untenable. "If you look at the business model of the W Series, even across the motorsport as a whole, it’s tough" she admits. "It all requires a huge amount of funding, and W Series was trying to privately fund it all. We had some great partners and supporters, but to keep that going each year, it just wasn’t sustainable."

Now, as an advisor to the newly launched F1 Academy, Chadwick is witnessing firsthand how the next generation of female drivers is being developed. Unlike the W Series, which operated as an independent championship, F1 Academy benefits from the direct backing of Formula 1 - a factor Chadwick believes is crucial to its long-term success. "Now we have 10 female drivers, all supported by Formula 1 teams," she says. "And I think the development and everything that comes with that is fantastic."

A crucial distinction between the two series is the funding structure. "F1 Academy still requires drivers to bring a little bit of budget, which I think is important," she explains. "That’s going to be the case in every other junior category. But now, with the support of the F1 teams, drivers get access to sponsors and backing that can really help them progress."

With competitors like Abbi Pulling now moving up the ranks, Chadwick believes F1 Academy is showing signs of being a sustainable pathway for women in motorsport.

For Chadwick, the next step in her career came in the form of Indy NXT, the fiercely competitive feeder series to IndyCar. American open-wheel racing presents a different kind of challenge. It’s physically demanding, technically unique, and features some of the most intense circuits in the world. "It’s definitely very challenging," she admits, "the circuits, the cars, the team - everything is different. But I absolutely love that experience."

Her time in Indy NXT has already produced significant milestones. In 2024, Chadwick made history by becoming the first woman in 14 years to win an Indy NXT race, leading every lap from pole position at Road America. 

She also secured a podium finish at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, proving her ability to compete at the front in a highly competitive field. These results not only highlight her adaptability but also silence any lingering doubts about her ability to perform outside of female-only series.

A common debate in motorsport, especially with the rise of all-female categories, is whether these series truly bolster development for female drivers or ultimately hinder their progress. Having competed in both, Chadwick believes the answer lies in a balance. “There’s never going to be an absolute right or wrong answer,” she explains. “The all-female series provide a platform and an opportunity to bridge the experience gap, while also increasing visibility and creating role models.” However, she emphasizes that mixed-gender racing remains essential for true development.

“At some point, you have to compete against men because that’s where you learn and grow the most.” With her experience spanning W Series, F1 Academy, and now Indy NXT, Chadwick sees value in both approaches, believing that a combination of opportunities is key to helping more women reach the highest levels of the sport.

Chadwick has been a part of the Atlassian Williams Racing family since 2019, initially as a development driver and now continuing her role as an ambassador in 2025. "The role has massively evolved over the last few years," she explains. "When I started, I joined the team as one of their only junior drivers, and they really helped develop me as a driver and support me in my career."

Her role now extends beyond just her own racing career. "Transitioning more into an ambassador role and supporting Lia Block as an F1 Academy advisor is something I’m really enjoying," she says. "Obviously, I’ve still got my own racing, and that takes up most of my time, but it’s nice to be able to combine that with supporting the next generation."

For Chadwick, Williams represents more than just a name on her racing suit - it’s a team that has played a fundamental role in her development, and one she continues to give back to through mentorship and advocacy.

Adding another dimension to her career, Chadwick has recently been announced as part of Sky Sports’ F1 coverage for the 2025 season. As a racer still competing at a high level, she brings firsthand insight from the track to the screen, offering fans a fresh perspective from someone who truly understands the demands of modern motorsport.

This move not only solidifies her place as one of the most respected voices in racing but also allows her to continue influencing the sport beyond her own results on track.

Jamie Chadwick’s story is not just one of breaking barriers - it is one of skill, perseverance, and a relentless pursuit of success. She is more than just a role model for women in motorsport; she is an elite racing driver who continues to push boundaries, not because of her gender, but because of her talent.

Whether it’s dominating W Series, making history in Indy NXT, mentoring the next generation through F1 Academy, or bringing her expertise to Sky Sports, Chadwick is shaping the future of motorsport in more ways than one. As her career continues to evolve, one thing is certain: she is far from finished.

*All images are from Jamie Chadwick's official website which you can view using the link below:

https://www.jamiechadwick.com