Woman racer Jamie Chadwick joins F1's Williams as development driver
Jamie Chadwick's dream of breaking into Formula One is a step closer, after Williams announced yesterday that had hired her as a development driver.
The 21-year-old has emerged as the most likely candidate to end what is now a 43-year wait for a female driver in F1.
She has followed up successes in Formula 3 by leading the inaugural all-female W Series championship this season.
Chadwick will attend three grands prix for Williams this year.
The last woman to start a Formula One grand prix was Lella Lombardi in 1976.
Fellow Italian Giovanna Amati drove for Brabham but she was replaced by future world champion Damon Hill in 1992.
"Being a part of the Driver Academy is an amazing platform and I'm excited to get started," Chadwick told BBC Sport.
"The time in the simulator is a fantastic opportunity to aid with my development.
"I look forward to spending time in the factory at Grove, immersing myself within the team and assisting wherever I can."
Williams deputy principal Claire Williams said she hoped having a female role model would inspire girls to take up racing.
"We hope to show that motorsport is inclusive and exciting, be that as a driver or on the engineering side," she said.
"Jamie is a great talent and I look forward to working with her."
Williams, once a dominant force in F1, previously signed Scottish woman driver Susie Wolff to a development contract in 2012.
But Wolff left three years later.
- AFP
Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now