LONDON (Reuters) – The F1 Academy’s all-female second season kicks off in Saudi Arabia this week, but Jamie Chadwick, the top woman racer from Britain, acknowledges that there is still a long way to go before Formula One’s male-dominated culture is overturned.
A three-time champion in the now-defunct W Series and currently racing in America, Chadwick agrees with Williams boss James Vowles that it will take years before a female driver makes it onto a Formula One starting grid.
Efforts to increase female participation in motorsport are gaining momentum, but it has been nearly 50 years since Italian Lella Lombardi started a grand prix back in 1976.
“I think he’s right,” acknowledged Chadwick, 25, when asked about Vowles’ comments last year regarding the eventual breakthrough for female drivers in Formula One. “I think what we’re doing is growing the amount of participation, increasing the talent pool,” she added while at a karting event for girls at Whilton Mill near Silverstone.
“Naturally, this will enhance the likelihood of female drivers reaching the top, but what we currently lack is performance at the feeder series level,” Chadwick pointed out.
“We haven’t seen many women competing at the F2 or F3 levels.”
Chadwick is a member of the Williams Driver Academy and is mentoring 17-year-old American Lia Block, daughter of the late rally driver Ken, in the F1 Academy, where she will be racing an F4 car with the ART team.
Due to a prior racing commitment in the IndyCar’s Indy NXT feeder series season opener in Florida, Chadwick will not be present in Jeddah for the inaugural race.
GRASSROOTS
Meanwhile, Chadwick is returning to grassroots initiatives. On International Women’s Day, the three Daytona Motorsport kart tracks in Britain will offer free access for females to race, with the opportunity to compete in a ‘Jamie Chadwick Series’ and win funding and mentorship.
Chadwick mentioned that the aim of the year-long series is to generate interest and establish “a community and a safe space for those who may have felt intimidated”.
Reflecting on her own beginnings in the sport, she highlighted, “I started when I was 12, and until I was about 15 or 16, I hadn’t been in a paddock with another female driver.”
“Fortunately, I wasn’t too intimidated or deterred by that, but these environments might not be appealing to everyone,” she added.
She noted a significant change with four or five girls testing at Whilton Mill during her recent visit. “I had never seen that many girls at a karting event before, and they were all involved in various programs and initiatives,” Chadwick observed.
COMMERCIAL OPPORTUNITIES
The F1 Academy features five teams with three cars each, managed by Formula Two and Formula Three teams, with each Formula One team having one driver competing in their livery. Some drivers also race in the colors of sponsors.
“I think the commercial opportunities presented by initiatives like the F1 Academy will be substantial, especially with the backing of Formula One,” Chadwick commented.
“Hopefully, this will assist the successful individuals in securing the necessary funding and support to progress through the subsequent levels in the best possible manner.”
Last year’s winner, Spanish driver Marta Garcia, has transitioned to a fully-funded drive in the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA), a series below Formula Three.
Chadwick’s immediate focus lies in America, with a move to IndyCar being a primary goal, while the IMSA sportscar championship could be another potential avenue.
After finishing 12th in her debut year in Indy NXT, she is now aiming for podium finishes and wins, approaching the challenge with renewed determination.
“I’ve significantly altered my training regimen,” she mentioned. “I know Logan Sargeant from Williams F1 mentioned he has gained a considerable amount of weight, I’ve also gained about four kilograms this winter to build up my strength. I feel really positive about that.”
(Reporting by Alan Baldwin, editing by Christian Radnedge)
