Jamie Chadwick sets five-year F1 target to prove Stefano Domenicali wrong
Jamie Chadwick says she hopes to be in Formula 1 within five years despite recent comments from the sport’s CEO.
To many, Chadwick is the most likely female candidate to be given a shot at the sport’s most prestigious series. She has dominated the W Series, winning both of the opening two Championships, and has finished P1 in all but one of this year’s races.
She has F1 links through her role as Williams’ development driver and at the age of 24, she has time on her side.
But, if F1’s CEO Stefano Domenicali is to be believed, she will not be in serious contention for a spot on the Formula 1 grid anytime soon.
The 57-year-old Italian was quoted last month saying it would take a metaphorical “meteorite” for a woman to be on the grid in the next five years with the last female representative being Lella Lombardi 46 years ago.
But Chadwick is determined to prove him wrong. The Brit said the words from Domenicali did not “bother” her but instead served as motivation.
“It doesn’t really bother me,” she said, as reported by The Independent. “It motivates me, if nothing else.
“I know that if I have success in the right feeder series then I will be in Formula 1. My goal is definitely to try and make it within five years.
Like a glove ☺️ Seat fit ✅ Cannot wait to get my first taste of this @FollowAndretti @IndyLights car next week 😁 pic.twitter.com/W3Vxi2lO6H
— Jamie Chadwick (@JamieChadwick) September 18, 2022
“There is a lot I need to achieve in that time, but I want to go through the correct feeder series, and have success in those championships to be in Formula 1.
“I need to lean on the people that do believe in it, and really do see it as possible, and surround myself with those voices.”
“Nothing has been confirmed. I am still weighing up my options. Conversations are ongoing in both Europe and America.”
Despite a seat opening up at Williams following the confirmation of Nicholas Latifi’s exit at the end of the season, it seems unlikely that Chadwick will be the one to step up.
Team boss Jost Capito said in March that she needed to compete in Formula 3 “at some point” but Chadwick stated she had been unable to secure a seat in F3 or F2 largely due to funding.
She instead signed on for another year of racing in the W Series at the newly-created Jenner Racing team.
It seems that a move to America is becoming an increasing likelihood for Chadwick after she was given an Indy Lights test in Florida by Andretti Autosport on Wednesday.
