Reigning W Series Champion and Asian F3 Championship racer Jamie Chadwick will continue to work with Williams as a development driver throughout 2020.
21 year old British driver Jamie Chadwick will continue to work with Williams in 2020. The inaugural W Series Champion is set to increase her work with the F1 team, having initially been signed as a development driver in early summer last year.
Williams say that Chadwick will increase her simulator programme and will ‘continue to be fully immersed within the team both trackside and in the factory at Grove’.
Chadwick is currently racing in the F3 Asian Championship, which takes place over the winter months between the 2019 and 2020 seasons. She claimed three points finishes in the opening round at Sepang and is currently P10 overall with 11 points.
As Williams’ Development Driver, Chadwick will attend several Grands Prix during 2020 and will also support the team in media and marketing activities.
“It has been a fantastic opportunity working with the team in my role as Development Driver.” said Chadwick. “The time spent in the simulator has been invaluable and I have enjoyed every moment, immersing myself within the team. I look forward to continuing to work with Williams this year!”
“I am delighted to confirm that Jamie Chadwick will continue her work in the Williams Racing Driver Academy this year.” said Williams Deputy Team Principal Claire Williams. “I have thoroughly enjoyed watching Jamie develop, and excel, both with the team and her time racing in W Series. Jamie has done an excellent job promoting women in motorsport and we are extremely proud of the work she has done.”
While not confirmed, it’s not unusual for development drivers to get their first taste of F1 machinery in older-spec cars. Recent drivers to benefit from such activities are Renault development drivers Guanyu Zhou, Christian Lundgaard & Anthoine Hubert, as well as Tatiana Calderon and Juan Manuel Correa at Alfa Romeo. If Williams decide to try giving Chadwick a go in an F1 car in a private test, it would have to be done in an older-spec car (two years or older).