Sky Sports Channel Logo

F1 News

News

  • News
  • Video
  • Live
  • Opinion
  • Gossip
  • Drivers & Teams
  • Schedule & Results
  • Standings
  • Stats Zone
  • Get Sky F1

Jamie Chadwick says F1 her 'ultimate goal' but outlines 'physical' issues for female drivers

Jamie Chadwick's "ultimate goal" is to reach F1 but she admits: "There hasn't been a woman in the recent era that has done it. I am trying to understand whether that is to do with the physical side."; Watch W Series race on Sky Sports F1 this Saturday

Last Updated: 29/06/22 2:37pm

Jamie Chadwick shares her career ambitions, whilst Caitlyn Jenner explained why she set up Jenner Racing

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Sky Sports

Jamie Chadwick shares her career ambitions, whilst Caitlyn Jenner explained why she set up Jenner Racing
Jamie Chadwick shares her career ambitions, whilst Caitlyn Jenner explained why she set up Jenner Racing

W Series champion Jamie Chadwick has stressed that her "ultimate goal" is to reach Formula One but has questioned whether female drivers are physically able to compete in the series.

Chadwick is the dominant force of the all-female racing series, established in 2019 to serve as a springboard to F1.

The 24-year-old is bidding to take her sixth successive victory on F1's undercard at the British Grand Prix this weekend as she chases a hat-trick of titles.

  • 'Enough is enough' | F1 rivals show Hamilton support after Piquet's racist slur
  • Wolff slams 'pitiful' rival F1 bosses | Horner makes 'theatre' jibe
  • British Grand Prix: When to watch live on Sky Sports

But it has been 46 years since a female competitor - the Italian Lella Lombardi - took part in an F1 race and eight years since Susie Wolff, who is married to Mercedes team principal Toto, competed in a Grand Prix practice session.

"The ultimate goal is to be in those championships, ideally Formula Two and then Formula One," British driver Chadwick told Sky Sports.

Caitlyn Jenner explained why she backed the restrictions placed on transgender women from taking part in female swimming competitions

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Sky Sports

Caitlyn Jenner explained why she backed the restrictions placed on transgender women from taking part in female swimming competitions
Caitlyn Jenner explained why she backed the restrictions placed on transgender women from taking part in female swimming competitions

But she added to the PA news agency on the physical demands: "I don't know what is actually possible.

"To get into Formula One you have to go through the feeder series - Formula Three and Formula Two - and it is extremely physical.

"Formula One is extremely physical, and we don't know exactly what women are capable of in the sport.

"If you are aged 15 or 16, and go into car racing, without power steering and driving big heavy cars, a lot of women do struggle, even though they have been successful in go-karting.

"We like to think that women can make it - and I am happy to be the guinea pig and will do my best to push and explore the options to Formula One - but we don't know.

Find out what makes Jamie Chadwick tick as the two-time W Series champion targets a third successive title and a future in Formula 1.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Sky Sports

Find out what makes Jamie Chadwick tick as the two-time W Series champion targets a third successive title and a future in Formula 1.
Find out what makes Jamie Chadwick tick as the two-time W Series champion targets a third successive title and a future in Formula 1.

"There hasn't been a woman in the recent era that has done it. I am trying to understand whether that is to do with the physical side.

"If it is physically possible, and women can compete against men, how do we make that happen? However, if it is physically too hard, but the sport wants women to compete, than we have got to bring it back and understand why."

Chadwick, a development driver for Williams, believes a number of technical changes need to be made to aid female racers.

She continued: "I don't think it is just as straightforward as getting stronger in the gym and jumping in the car.

"Although our sport is incredibly advanced with a lot of things, the physical human performance side is misunderstood.

Jamie Chadwick holds a commanding lead in W Series ahead of the British GP
Jamie Chadwick holds a commanding lead in W Series ahead of the British GP

"In Formula Two and Formula Three, the steering wheels are all identical and they have a thick grip. How can we make them thinner because women's hands are not necessarily that big?

"How can we make sure there are no restrictions on how close the pedals are so you can get the right leverage?

"And some of the newer tubs in the cockpit are really narrow. Women with bigger hips can't fit into them comfortably.

"A lot of these things have been overlooked for obvious reasons, but now we need to see whether that does make a difference to performance."

A look back at the best of the action from the 2022 W Series season so far ahead of Round 3 at Silverstone this weekend.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Sky Sports

A look back at the best of the action from the 2022 W Series season so far ahead of Round 3 at Silverstone this weekend.
A look back at the best of the action from the 2022 W Series season so far ahead of Round 3 at Silverstone this weekend.

Chadwick holds a 37-point lead over compatriot Abbi Pulling ahead of the third round of eight - all of which take place on F1 weekends.

"I would like to think in the next three to four years we will see a female driver in F1," concluded Chadwick.

Also See:

  • British GP: When to watch live on Sky F1
  • Hamilton: Archaic mindsets need to change

"There is a lot of talent that is younger than me coming through that could have great success, but there are details within the sport that have been a limiting factor previously.

"Trying to understand those and changing them - even if that is not for me but for the next generation coming through - is going to be important."

Trending

  • 1
    Transfer Centre LIVE! Icardi, Rabiot, Gakpo - will Man Utd strengthen?
  • 2
    Tuchel: Both Spurs goals cannot stand | 'Taylor shouldn't ref us again'
  • 3
    Klopp: Critics were too quick to judge Nunez and Haaland
  • 4
    Papers: Milan clubs snub chance to sign Ronaldo
  • 5
    Wenger on 30 years of PL, Mourinho and missing Arsenal LIVE!
  • 6
    Neville: Man Utd played like U9s | 'Transfer strategy difficult to forgive'
  • 7
    Man Utd transfer rumours: Utd warned Milinkovic-Savic will cost £42.3m
  • 8
    PL hits & misses: Chelsea's need for recognised No 9 laid bare
  • 9
    Man Utd deny Ronaldo contract termination plans amid ongoing scrutiny
  • 10
    Anthony Joshua's top 10 defining moments
  • Video
  • Latest News
  • Home
  • Sports
    • Football
    • F1
    • Cricket
    • Rugby Union
    • Rugby League
    • Golf
    • Boxing
    • NFL
    • Tennis
    • Racing
    • Darts
    • NBA
    • Netball
    • GAA
    • MMA
    • More Sports
  • Scores
  • Video
  • TV
  • Sky Bet
  • Games
  • More
    • Transfer Centre
    • Live on Sky
    • Get Sky Sports
    • TV Shows
    • TV Guide
    • Sky Go
    • Now TV
    • Kick It Out
    • Black Lives Matter
    • Sky Zero
    • Podcasts
    • Mobile
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • Contact Us
    • Work @ Sky Sports
    • Terms & Conditions
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Sky Sports
    • Get Sky Sports
    • Sky Sports Apps
    • Sportinglife.com
    • TEAMtalk.com
    • Football365.com
  • Partners
    • Sky Bet
    • Fantasy Football
    • Super 6
    • Planet Rugby
    • Golf365
    • Planet F1
    • Cricket365
  • Sky Sports Channels
    • Sky Sports Main Event
    • Sky Sports Premier League
    • Sky Sports Football
    • Sky Sports Cricket
    • Sky Sports Golf
    • Sky Sports Racing
    • Sky Sports F1
    • Sky Sports Action
    • Sky Sports Arena
    • Sky Sports News
    • Sky Sports Mix
  • More Sky Sites
    • Sky.com
    • Sky News
    • Sky Group
    • Sky For Businesses
    • Work @ Sky Sports
    • NOW TV
    • Sky Communal TV
    • Bigger Picture
    • Store Locator
    • Advertise With Us
    • Sky TV Accessories
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy & Cookies Notice
  • Privacy Options
  • Accessibility Information
  • Contact Us

Sky Sports Channel Logo ©2022 Sky UK