JAMIE IN TOP GEAR

Brit ace Chadwick lands team gig in bid to be first woman in F1 race since 1976

JAMIE CHADWICK admits that her Formula One dream felt a million miles away – until a trip to New Zealand transformed her career.

The 22-year-old, widely regarded as one of Britain’s leading women racing drivers, made the trip across the world in mid-March to take part in development driving for Rodin Cars.

Chadwick (right) provided on-track feedback for the New Zealand-based car manufacturer who are aiming to produce the world’s fastest track car and make it commercially available.

Little did she know at the time, but a few months later Rodin’s multi-millionaire boss David Dicker ( far right) reached into his own pocket to back Chadwick’s own quest for a place in racing history.

The substantial financial backing will see the Bath-born racer compete in the regional Formula 3 season beginning next month, with the aim of rising up to International F3 and F2 with the Prema team.

And Chadwick, who clinched the inaugural W Series title last season, admits she still has to pinch herself as she aims to become the first female driver to compete in an F1 race since Lella Lombardi in 1976.

“It came out of the blue, 100 per cent,” Chadwick said. “When I went out there, it was purely to do development work.

“To come away from there with that in the back of my mind, and then to be able to get it all confirmed and cleared up now, it’s been a dream come true for me.” Chadwick now has the opportunity to race for Prema who boast Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc among their graduates. But the negotiations were by no means plain sailing, with Chadwick intensely aware of what was at stake.

She said: “Honestly, I have never been so stressed.

“I think there was three weeks where it was all kind of back and forth – obviously with the time zone there were a lot of phone calls going on that were either quite late at night for us or quite early in the morning.

“My whole career depended on one guy saying yes or no. But for a long period in talks it’s never a simple yes or no.

“It was definitely a bit stressful, I remember it really well. I got the times wrong, it was a conference call at night and by the time we finished the call it was around 11pm.

“There was a lot of small talk at the beginning and rambling on, then at the end he just said, ‘Yes, we are going to do it, I’m happy to do it. What’s next?’.”

With 25 Super License points on the table in the F3 regional championship, Chadwick will hope to add to the 10 she picked up at the Asian F3 series last winter.

Currently, drivers must collect 40 points across three seasons by competing in other racing series before being granted the super licence required for F1 race participation.

Rodin’s support now moves Chadwick, who is also a development driver for the Williams F1 team, a step closer to achieving her dream.

“F1 has always been in the background and been a goal but it’s never necessarily been 100 per cent realistic,” she added.

“Knowing the amount of backing and everything else that is required to get to the top places, it’s tough. “But with the support of David and what he’s offering to give me over the next few years, the opportunity is there.

“I now know that I can make it – but if I don’t perform I won’t.

“It’s bit of pressure but a really nice way to think. It’s a really exciting position for me to be in.”