Veloce replace Chadwick in Extreme E series

Finley Crebolder
Jamie Chadwick wins the 2021 W series. Austin October 2021

Jamie Chadwick wrapped in a British flag after she wins the 2021 W series. Austin October 2021

Veloce Racing have replaced Jamie Chadwick with Christine Giampaoli Zonca for their 2022 Extreme E campaign.

Alongside her ultimately successful quest to retain her W Series title, Chadwick signed up to drive for Veloce Racing in the inaugural Extreme E season in 2021.

With the two series clashing at times though and her W Series duties taking priority, she was unable to compete in every round with Emma Gilmour twice standing in for her.

It has now been announced that she has been replaced permanently for the 2022 campaign, with the team signing Giampaoli Zonca, who drove in the series for Xite Energy Racing in 2021.

“I learnt a lot last year and I think that’s important going into Extreme E’s second season,” she said.

“Together with the team, I think we can achieve great things and we’ll definitely be targeting podiums and more!”

While her team last year did finish bottom of the standings, she impressed at times, often being faster than the team-mate she shared the car with, Oliver Bennett.

However, with Xite Energy quitting the series at the end of the inaugural campaign, she was left without a seat, and it didn’t take long for Veloce to snap her up, feeling she stood out with her performances.

“With a very short break between season one and two, we’ve not backed off to ensure we kick off 2022 on the right foot and Christine GZ stood out as a driver above all others, who with very limited mileage, made very impressive as well as rapid progress in 2021,” said team principal Rupert Svendsen-Cook.

 

“For us, Christine’s talent is certain, and we’re committed to maximising her potential through further development to ensure we capitalise on that for our shared success.”

It isn’t yet clear which male driver will partner her next season but Lance Woolridge, who drove for the team in the final round of 2021 standing in for Stephane Sarrazinis, is thought to be the favourite.

As for Chadwick, the Williams development driver has no plans to return to W Series for the 2022 season and has expressed interest in finding a seat in a single-seater category higher up the ladder.