Three-time W Series champion and Williams Formula One junior Jamie Chadwick will be racing for Andretti Autosport in the Indy NXT Series in the upcoming season, the team have confirmed.
Chadwick, who has won all three of the W Series championships, will be moving to the IndyCar feeder series and will become the first woman in the series in 13 years.
Moving from a women-only series to racing against men, Chadwick has stated how she hopes this will help her showcase her abilities to the world. She will be partnering Hunter McElrea and Louis Foster and will drive the No.28 car, whilst being sponsored by DHL for the season which will consist of 14 races.
The 24-year-old Brit had early tests with Andretti in September and has been looking for a move in the F1 feeder series. After failing to land a seat in F2 and F3, she has now moved to Indy NXT.
In the meantime, Chadwick will remain with Williams and is expected to have a bigger role next season.
Chadwick said:
“I’m really happy to be stepping up into INDY NXT next year. It’s a great opportunity for me to be able to get a lot of seat time and continue my development. Racing for a team like Andretti is going to be an amazing experience and I’m really looking forward to racing in the United States.A massive thank you to Williams for the support they’ve given me on my journey since joining the Academy in 2019.
“My aim is always to challenge myself and continue my progression as a driver and this represents not only a big step up but also a big step toward my goal of competing in the highest categories of single-seater racing. Andretti Autosport’s standing in the sport is second to none and I hope to bring more success to such a prestigious team. I can’t wait to get started.“
Sven Smeets, Williams Racing’s Sporting Director, added:
“We’re very excited to see Jamie embark on a new chapter in INDY NXT. Throughout this year Jamie displayed an incredible level of skill and determination to claim her third W Series title. We look forward to supporting Jamie with her challenge Stateside.“
Catherine Bond Muir, Chief Executive Officer, W Series, commented:
“An impressive professional on and off track, Jamie epitomises everything that W Series is about. W Series provided her with the platform to showcase her immense talent and progress up the motorsport ladder. She has seized that opportunity emphatically, securing a development role in Formula 1 with Williams, race seats in the Formula Regional European Championship and Extreme E, and now a competitive drive in the prestigious Indy Lights series in the USA, where W Series and women’s sport is getting great support and gaining momentum. We will follow her progress closely and we wish her all the best, knowing she will do everything to make the most of this latest opportunity.“
Michael Andretti, team owner, Andretti Autosport, said:
“Jamie’s successful career speaks for itself, but INDY NXT gives Jamie the opportunity to continue her development in a new type of racing. DHL is a long-standing team partner; we are happy to welcome them to the Indy NXT series and excited to welcome Jamie to the team. We’ve turned out five INDY NXT champions over the years and look forward to continuing our role in developing new talent.“
Chadwick will be making the switch from the W Series, which had an abrupt ending last season due to financial problems. Formula One recently had also announced its own all-female feeder championship, the F1 Academy, which will debut in 2023.
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