Brit lands gig to boost F1 mission ROUTE

JAMIE CHADWICK says her Formula One dream was 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 March to take part in development driving for Rodin Cars.

Chadwick provided on-track feedback for the New Zealand-based car manufacturer, which is 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 millionaire boss David Dicker reached into his pocket to back Chadwick’s own quest for a place in racing history.

The substantial financial backing will see the Bathborn 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 itself since Lella

Lombardi in

1976.

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

“To come away from there with that all in the back of my mind, and then to get it confirmed and cleared up, 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.

Stressed

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 were three weeks where it was all 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 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 the conclusion 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 hopes to add to the 10 she picked up at the Asian F3 series last winter.

Currently, drivers need to collect 40 points across three seasons competing in other racing series before being granted the 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 her longterm dream.

“F1 has always been a goal but never necessarily 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 is offering 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 pressure, but a really nice way to think.

“It’s a really exciting position for me to be

in.”