Years After Hailing Lewis Hamilton as Inspiration, Jamie Chadwick Gives Sad Reality Check on F1 Dreams

Every driver that has ever taken to the track in a professional capacity has dreamt of driving in Formula 1 once in their lifetime. However, reaching the pinnacle of motorsport is no cakewalk. It requires years of hard work, dedication, and consistent improvement to be able to climb to Formula racing ladder. Jamie Chadwick is finding this out the hard way despite dominating the now-extinct W series. Despite drawing inspiration from Lewis Hamilton, the female British driver revealed the sad reality in the latest episode of the Going Purple with Lissie Mackintosh podcast.

“I think the W series gave me this huge leg up this platform. But maybe a slightly unrealistic view on where I am, I think. People maybe think I am.. the perception was that I am ready for Formula 1, which I’m nowhere near ready for, and therefore I am happy getting top 10’s at the moment. But some people would think that’s me not having a good year at all,” said Chadwick.

Chadwick dominated the W series with three back-to-back championships. However, the series’ bankruptcy highlighted the sad reality, something even Hamilton was disappointed about.

Chadwick’s honest admission of her chances to become part of the premier class are also disappointing. In fact, the current pathway for females to rise up to F1 is pretty difficult. Thus, Jamie’s dreams of getting to F1 & her perspective may be coming from a realistic mindset understanding the current scenario.

Read More: Williams’ Inspiring Decision Involving Jamie Chadwick Will Put a Smile on Lewis Hamilton’s Face

Still, Formula 1 did put in plans to start an all-female academy to promote female drivers from a young age. A cause Hamilton was already behind.

F1’s initiative for the All-Female Academy may please Lewis Hamilton, but it is a long way to go!

Hamilton is a champion of diversity and has been making consistent efforts on a personal level for years. However, one thing Hamilton couldn’t do was promote women in motorsport. Not in the background, where there are already a few women working on the technical side of things, but out in front on the track.

In the past, Hamilton had admitted, “There is not really a pathway for those young, amazing drivers to even get to Formula 1.”  However, after the dissolution of the W series, F1 granted Hamilton’s wish as they announced their initiative toward an all-female F1 Academy. The F1 Academy series started its inaugural season in 2023. Although, the reason that people are not aware of or see a lot of hype for the series is the lack of promotional push from F1’s end.

The all-female racing series is at the same level as F3 & similar feeder series. While, these races are run separately from the F1 Grands Prix & the F2, and F3 support races, they also are not televised. This lack of publicity for an indigenous racing series for women is certainly not helping drivers like Marta Garcia & Lena Buhler to get their talents noticed & applauded by fans.

With Susie Wolff taking charge of the F1 Academy & several F1 teams also deciding to run drivers from 2024, there is light at the end of the tunnel for women aspiring to get to the pinnacle of motorsport. Let’s hope down the line this all-female academy produces some brilliant drivers and we see a female racer on the F1 grid!

WATCH THIS STORY | F1 Drivers Trying Their Hand at Different Sports