08 November 2019

Jamie Chadwick tells how she is inspired by Lewis Hamilton to compete in F1

Racing driver Jamie Chadwick says World Champion Lewis Hamilton has inspired her to compete in Formula 1.

Hamilton has just won his sixth title,  just one off equalling Michael Schumacher's record. Chadwick won the inaugural W series and hopes to compete in the F1 in the future.

The 21-year-old said: “I have a huge amount of respect for him. He is a six-time world champion and an unbelievable one. If I can emulate even a tiny amount of that, it has to be something to aim for.”

A woman hasn't raced in the F1 for 43 years, the last driver being Lella Lombardi. While the F1 is her aspiration, Chadwick admits that realistically her dream is a way into the future.

She said: “F1 feels further away. I now know what I need to learn in the next few years. I am not going to rush that or try and cheat. I get comments on social media asking if I will be replacing Robert Kubica. That is not even a realistic option. 

"I need the time to develop. If I get to F1 I want to be best possible driver to make the mark I need to make and do the best possible job rather than being there a year or two early for no reason.”

The driver is taking part in the W Series again in May next year, though she has said it will be the last time she is competing. Chadwick believes the Series has done great things for female motorsport.

The Brit said: “It’s so exciting to see a series not following the norm and changing, adapting and learning, it’s an exciting time.

“The way it has changed my life is that is has not just appealed to the motorsport audiences. It’s grabbed the attention of women’s sport in general. I have been on shortlists for awards that no one in motorsport would have got previously their name in.”

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