Jamie on the brink
Title is crucial to Chadwick future
THE importance of today is not lost on Jamie Chadwick. A podium finish in the final race of the season at Brands Hatch will see t he 21-year-old become the W Series’ first champion.
That would be the perfect end to a remarkable year for the Briton, whose performance sin the all-female racing series — she has led the standings throughout — caught the eye of the Williams F1 team who appointed her as their development driver in May.
That endorsement saw Chadwick take a giant step towards becoming the first woman to race in F1 since Italian Lella Lombardi in 1976. Her prospects will improve further still if she justifies the hype by winning the W Series title.
‘It is very important I get the job done,’ said Chadwick. ‘I just feel we’ve got momentum so strongly in our favour. So to round out this year with the championship would mean everything. It would put us on the road to something a lot bigger.
‘Without putting extra pressure on myself, I do see it is important to win the championship and I don’t see why we shouldn’t, given how the season has gone so far.’
Indeed, Chadwick has not been off the podium in the five races to date, winning two of them. That consistency gives her a 13-point lead over Holland’s Beitske Visser going into the finale, meaning another t op- t hree f i ni s h wil l guarantee Chadwick the title.
‘I just want to win,’ she said. ‘I don’t want to throw it away now, I’ve led the whole way so now’s not the time to let it slip.
‘But I want to get the best result I can. I want to stand on the top step of the podium and I know if I do that then the championship will come with it. Me and Beitske get on well. We have a lot in common, like all the girls, but my aim is just to beat her.’
Chadwick could not have picked a better venue for the last race. It was at Brands Hatch last August where she became the first female driver to win a British Formula 3 race. She said: ‘It’s the only circuit on the W Series calendar that I know, so it’s nice to have that experience in my back pocket for the last race.
‘It’s an awesome circuit. I went there last weekend to watch the British F3 and it takes your breath away every time—a proper old-school circuit with undulations, camber changes, blind corners and no run-off areas. I’m so excited. I just can’t wait to get in the car.’
The £415,000 prize for the series winner — more than many current F1 drivers earn and double what the runner-up will receive — adds to the pressure.
‘I’ve not thought about that too much because I don’t want to jinx it ,’ said Chadwick .‘ I keep mentioning it to my mum and she says: “No, don’t even talk about it!” It’s a huge amount so a lot will be r ei nvested i n my r aci ng but hopefully a nice holiday will be deserved regardless of the result.’
Win or lose, Chadwick has the option to return to the series next season, with the top 12 of the 20 drivers guaranteed a place on the grid in 2020, when FIA Superlicence points will be up for grabs. Up to 18 points could be on offer, with 40 needed to race in F1.
‘ After this weekend a l ot of decisions will be clearer,’ she said.