Williams sign Jamie Chadwick as F1 development driver
Leading female racer to conduct F1 simulator work and attend races
Monday 20 May 2019 10:26, UK
Williams have signed Jamie Chadwick to the role of development driver.
Chadwick lands her first F1 position with the British youngster currently leading the new all-female W Series after a win and a second place in the championship's first two races.
"It is a great honour to be joining the Williams Racing Driver Academy," said Chadwick, who turned 21 on Monday.
"The time in the simulator is a fantastic opportunity to aid with my development. I look forward to spending time in the factory at Grove, immersing myself within the team and assisting wherever I can.
"Being a part of the driver academy is an amazing platform and I'm excited to get started."
She joins Nicholas Latifi, Williams' reserve driver, in the team's academy. Chadwick will complete a 'busy simulator programme' at their Grove factory and be present with the team at three European races, starting with July's British GP.
"Promoting women in motorsport is extremely important and having a female role model as part of our driver academy will hopefully inspire young girls to take up racing at a young age," said deputy team boss Claire Williams.
"We hope to show that motorsport is inclusive and exciting, be that as a driver or on the engineering side. Jamie is a great talent and I look forward to working with her."
Chadwick became the first female winner of the British GT championship in 2015 and last year did likewise in a round of the British F3 championship, en route to finishing eighth in the standings.
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