Exclusive: Jamie Chadwick discusses Indy NXT hopes.
Jamie Chadwick, W Series winner, discusses her Indy NXT ambitions with Motorsport Week following her victory with Andretti Global.
The British driver won her first Indy Car feeder series race at Road America, winning from the pole to become the series’ first female winner on a road track.
Chadwick also made history by becoming the first female driver in a decade to finish on the podium in Indy NXT at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The three-time W Series winner is having a good sophomore season and hopes to make her way to Indy Car.
“I believe last year was primarily a learning experience, therefore we were optimistic about this year’s results.
“We were really thrilled with the speed that we had at the start of the year, but we were unable to translate that into any concrete outcomes.
Chadwick’s move from sixth to third place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway gave her her best Indy NXT finish to date.
The technical transition from W Series to Indy NXT was a learning experience for the British driver.
“The step up from the W Series was pretty significant,” Chadwick remarked. “One of the main things I’ve talked about is the physicality of it.
“I’m training harder in the offseason now, but also I just know more about the car this year.”
Jamie Chadwick (GBR) Jenner Racing celebrates finishing second on the podium. W Series, Round 5, Budapest, Hungary, Race Day, July 30, 2022.
Chadwick spent the majority of her racing career in Europe before moving to America to compete in Indy NXT.
The adjustment was almost as difficult as getting a new car, but it also required Chadwick to learn new tracks and racing styles.
She explained, “I truly matured, even if my first year was difficult at times. I’ve settled in and am certain that this is where I want to spend my career.
“The pathway is very clear from a driver’s point of view, so it’s nice to have that clarity.”
After winning the W Series three years in a row, Chadwick struggled to establish a place on the European racing scene.
When offered the option to race for Andretti Global in America, she jumped at the chance to showcase her abilities.
“Trying to find my way out of the W Series in the first place was challenging. The challenge was determining where it fit in the pecking order or feeder chain hierarchy.
“Landing a spot in Indy NXT has given me more of a pathway so that clarity was great for me.”
Of course, Formula One remains the ultimate ambition for the British driver, but Indy Car is her next major target.
“For every driver, the pinnacle is the ultimate goal,” Chadwick added. “Indy Car is definitely something that I would love to shoot for, but I do love every form of racing.”
Jamie Chadwick (GBR) of Jenner Racing is on the grid. 02.10.2022. Race day for the W Series at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore.
Chadwick has several aspirations, both on and off the track. Recently, she has used her platform to increase chances for women in motorsports.
Daytona Motorsport announced a joint venture with Chadwick to boost female participation in grassroots motorsport.
The Jamie Chadwick Series attempts to address the low level of female participation in the sport by providing a year-long programming to young girls in the United Kingdom.
“I was very fortunate to get into motorsport, but there was still no clear path for women to advance in the sport.”
“As a young girl, I found the industry scary because there are so few individuals like me.
“What we’ve done with Daytona is amazing, there’s been over 40 participants in each category and hundreds of registered people interested.”
Chadwick’s plan contributes to increased chances for young girls in motorsport at the grassroots level.
As F1 Academy expands on a global scale, Chadwick continues to inspire many young females in motorsport.
