Jamie Chadwick: "I want to be the one to prove" women can be competitive in F1

W Series champion Jamie Chadwick has a clear target of becoming the first female Formula 1 driver since the '70s, as the young Brit is determined to prove women can "race competitively in Formula 1".

Chadwick dominated the initial W Series championship, an all-female open-wheel racing class, as she's now landed a gig as Williams development driver alongside the like of Daniel Ticktum.

The 21-year-old now also competes in Formula 3, where she had her maiden victory stripped on Saturday after a post-race investigation revealed she had jumped the start. 

Now a part of an F1 constructor in Williams, Chadwick said she's proud of how far she's already come in her racing career, but still has work to do to achieve her dream of being part of the Formula 1 grid.

“Even now, immersing myself with Williams, I still have pinch-me moments,” she admitted in an interview with The Guardian.

“But, yeah, it’s the ultimate goal [to get to F1]. I’m under no illusions as to how tough it’ll be to get there.

“I want to do it on merit. I don’t want to do it because I’m a token female racing driver. I really feel that given the right opportunity and the right support, it is possible, not just for me, but for women, to race competitively in Formula 1. Ultimately, I want to be the one to prove that.”

Chadwick would be the first woman to drive in F1 since Lella Lombardi in the '70s. Although she wasn't the first woman, Lombardi remains the only female points scorer in the sport's history.

“There are people who think, OK, you’re good 'for a girl', but you might not necessarily make it to the top. I see it as motivation. I genuinely believe that it is possible and, if not me, there is a female out there who is definitely capable.”