Jamie Chadwick has completed her first Formula 1 test after driving Williams’ 2025 FW47 at Portimão, the team confirmed on 24 September.
The British driver completed 32 laps at the Portuguese circuit in a Testing of Previous Cars programme on Monday. Williams said the running supplied data and driver feedback as Formula 1 prepares to return to Portimão for the Portuguese Grand Prix in 2027.
Chadwick, 28, described the outing as a major personal milestone. She said the experience of driving an F1 car at speed around Portimão had exceeded her expectations, and that it was the best day of her life so far.
The test was a private outing in a previous-generation car rather than a competitive Formula 1 session or a race-weekend appearance. It nonetheless gave Chadwick track time in the FW47 following preparation including simulator work, gym training and a seat fitting, according to Formula 1.
Formula 1 said Chadwick’s programme formed part of her long-standing association with Williams. The report said her running generated technical information for the team and experience relevant to her work with its F1 Academy pathway.
A first Williams F1 run for Chadwick
Chadwick has been associated with Williams since 2019 and holds roles as the team’s ambassador and F1 Academy adviser. Her Portimão programme was the first time she had driven an F1 car for Williams.
She is also the first woman to drive a Williams Formula 1 car since Susie Wolff in 2015. Chadwick said Wolff’s earlier Williams running had inspired her own path in motorsport when she was younger.
Chadwick said the test would benefit both her own racing and the advice she can offer drivers coming through the team’s pathway. That makes the day relevant beyond the lap total: Williams has presented the programme as an opportunity to combine useful technical work with experience that can inform Chadwick’s ambassadorial and advisory responsibilities.
Team principal James Vowles said Chadwick had earned the opportunity through her achievements. He reported that her feedback and performance had impressed the team, while saying the data collected would assist preparations for Formula 1’s planned return to the Algarve venue.
Vowles also said the test demonstrated a pathway for women to compete at the highest level. That is Williams’ assessment of the broader significance.
Established record across single-seaters and endurance racing
The test adds an F1-car outing to a career that has crossed single-seaters and sportscars. Chadwick won all three seasons of W Series and has won races in Indy NXT. She is currently racing in the European Le Mans Series.
Formula 1 said Chadwick’s preparation included detailed gym work, simulator running and a seat fitting before the Portimão programme. She said watching Wolff drive a Williams car had been influential in her own journey, and reported that the experience would make a real difference to both her racing and what she could pass on to drivers coming through. Vowles said he looked forward to seeing how Chadwick uses the experience to advance her driving and advise Williams’ young drivers.
Her 32 laps came at a Portuguese circuit which Formula 1 is scheduled to revisit in 2027. Williams said the feedback gathered at the Portimão venue would be relevant to that planned return, while Chadwick said the experience would make a real difference to her own racing. Vowles’ assessment of her feedback and performance recorded the value Williams placed on the exercise.
Chadwick’s onboard experience is due to be shared through Williams and Sky F1 social channels during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend, according to Formula 1.