The British racing driver knows about firsts. As the most decorated female racer of all time, she’s used to striking gold. Now, she’s set on driving a different set of goals: getting more women into the male-dominated sport.
From the moment now 28-year-old Jamie Chadwick got behind the wheel, everyone else was competing for second. For almost as long as she has existed, sport coursed through the family bloodstream. Raised on the Isle of Man, a small island in the middle of the Irish Sea where their most famous races are the Tourist Trophy that take place every May and June, she was well-acquainted with speed. Aside from those seasonal occasions, hockey, tennis and karting all jostled for pole position in Jamie’s personal triathlon – but it was motorsport that eventually edged ahead.
At 15, while most teenagers were busy picking their A Levels, Jamie faced a slightly different dilemma: her England Hockey trial landed on the very same weekend as the Ginetta Junior Scholarship, a top UK motorsport competition that provides one young driver between the ages of 14 and 17 the chance to receive a fully funded season in their Championship. Inevitably, she chose racing, won the scholarship, and the rest accelerated from there.
Ironically, by motorsport standards, the British racing driver is something of a late starter. In a world where many drivers are practically born in a kart, she didn’t begin racing until she was 11. But what she lacked in mileage, she made up for in momentum. A British GT champion, three consecutive W Series titles, Williams Formula 1 development driver, Indy NXT race winner – somehow, she’s turned a “late” start into one of the fastest rises in modern motorsport, becoming a first of firsts while doing so.
However, Jamie’s success has never just been about trophies, of course. As one of a few – but growing – famous women in what is largely considered a “man’s game”, her achievements become emblematic of a silver lining in a wider conundrum. With every win, the British racing champ chips away at the bored idea that elite single-seater racing belongs only to one group.
And that fervor for greater inclusivity within the game gave way to her eponymous racing series which she launched three years ago. The Jamie Chadwick Series, an all-female karting championship, was designed to get girls as young as eight years old into motorsports. So now, with her investment, the hope (and action) is that whether or not Jamie’s competing on the track, the girls are covered.
But alas, in the midst of a busy, global schedule – one that has taken her across Europe, North America, the South Americas and far, far beyond – she talks about breaking records, legacy and making room behind the wheel.
Paint the picture of being behind the wheel. What are you thinking about (besides winning)? How do you prepare and get into the right frame of mind?
Once you’re in the car, everything becomes very focused and quite narrow. You’re thinking about the details – tyre management, braking points, adapting to conditions, all of that. The preparation is just as important though. I like to arrive feeling calm, clear-headed and confident so that when I get in the car, everything feels natural.
If you could freeze time at any point in a race, when would it be?
Probably the end, especially after a good one. Those moments go by so quickly, and you rarely get the chance to really take them in before your mind is already moving on to the next race.
You’ve been breaking records since you were a teenager – did that create confidence early on, or was that a pressure that you’ve had to unlearn?
It’s been a bit of both. Early success definitely gives you confidence and motivation to keep pushing, but it also brings expectations that can follow you for a long time. Over the years, I’ve learned to separate that external pressure from what I actually want to achieve and focus more on the process rather than just the outcome.
What is (or has been) the most exhilarating part of the whole journey?
I think a combination of not necessarily expecting to get to this level in the sport alongside the feeling of constant progression. Every time I’ve stepped into a new category or environment, there’s that excitement of not really knowing where the limit is yet. That feeling of learning, improving, and competing against the best is what makes it so rewarding.
Has your relationship with winning changed as you’ve spent more time with the sport?
Definitely. When you’re younger, winning feels like everything. As you gain experience, you start to understand and appreciate all the work that goes into getting there, and you lose a lot more than you end up winning. Winning is still the goal, but I value how much goes into it now, especially when you have such a team of people alongside you making it possible.
What do you think you’d be doing if you weren’t a driver?
It’s hard to imagine not being involved in sport in some way – it’s always been such a big part of my life. I’ve really enjoyed doing some punditry with the Sky F1 team and mentoring young drivers through the Williams F1 Team’s F1 Academy programme, so I think I’d still be around motorsport or sport in general. I’ve always loved other sports too, so I could see myself working in a different sporting environment.
Beyond the wheel, who is Jamie off duty?
Away from racing, I like spending time with friends and family and staying active through other sports. I also enjoy watching sports in general – I’ve got a real appreciation for what other athletes do, and it’s a good way to switch off from racing as well.
How intentional are you about building a persona off the track versus letting your career speak for itself?
I’ve never really been interested in building a persona. My focus has always been on performance and doing my job well. That said, I do think it’s important to share parts of the journey so people can connect with the sport and understand what goes on behind the scenes.
You’re now stepping into Hypercar racing. What sparked that decision, and what excites you most about that move?
It felt like a natural next step and a really exciting challenge. Hypercar is one of the most competitive and prestigious categories in motorsport right now – it’s the pinnacle of endurance racing. The level of technology and competition is incredibly high.
Is there anything you’re having to relearn?
The biggest adjustment is thinking more strategically and really embracing how central teamwork is in endurance racing, where success depends on far more than just individual performance.
As well as working in broadcasting, you’re also part of the Williams Racing ecosystem – how different does the sport look from inside versus from the outside?
They’re very different perspectives. Inside a team, you’re focused on the detail and the performance side – everything is about extracting the maximum from the car and the people around you. Broadcasting gives you a step back to see the bigger picture and the stories unfolding across the whole paddock. It’s made me realise and appreciate how much goes into the sport from both sides.
Hypothetically, what’s one rule in motorsport you’d love to break?
I’d like to see a rule where every team has a minimum investment in young driver development. Some already do a lot, and initiatives like F1 Academy are great, but it would be good to encourage more consistent support across the board.
Through your karting series, you’re creating space for young girls and women as they navigate the sport. What do you hope feels different for them compared to your own experience?
I hope they feel like they belong from day one. When I started, there were very few role models and not many clear pathways. I’d love for the next generation to feel supported and visible, so they can focus purely on learning and enjoying the sport, knowing they have every bit the same opportunity as everyone else to make it to the top.
Legacy is such a big buzzword word in sport – what does it mean to you?
I don’t think legacy is something you actively chase. For me, it’s more about impact than being remembered. If I can help create opportunities for others while also achieving what I want in my own career, that would be something I’d be proud of.
What excites you about the future of racing, particularly with the increase of women in and across the sport?
The momentum is really positive. We’re seeing more women competing, more working within teams, and more structured pathways being created. What’s exciting is that it’s no longer just about possibility – it’s about progress that’s already happening, and that’s really encouraging for the future of the sport.
Words – Aswan Magumbe
