Jamie Chadwick says she is “very excited” to affix the World Endurance Championship’s prime class as a reserve driver with Genesis Magma Racing in 2026.
On Tuesday, Hyundai’s luxurious model Genesis confirmed Chadwick because the group’s official reserve driver after they be a part of the WEC Hypercar class – the most important sportscar class – and shall be answerable for the event of their first automobile.
Chadwick, who has been a trailblazer for ladies in motorsport over the past 10 years, turns into the primary feminine to serve a reserve Hypercar position and hopes to land a full-time seat sooner or later.
“It’s the pinnacle of endurance racing. The car is an impressive bit of machinery. It’s the next step in my career, particularly in the direction that I’m ultimately wanting to head in,” she informed Sky Sports activities.
“I was aiming to have an opportunity to do something with the team, but to take on a formal role as a reserve driver and with the test role as well, it’s not something I expected at this point, but it’s something I’m very excited about, and it’s a very cool and a nice, natural progression.”
Chadwick has made the swap away from single-seater racing to sportscars this 12 months, successful three races within the European Le Mans Collection – changing into the primary feminine to win within the sequence’ premier class – on her solution to third within the championship alongside team-mates Mathys Jaubert and Daniel Juncadella.
The 27-year-old additionally raced on the well-known Le Mans 24 Hours for the primary time and has been a pundit for Sky Sports activities F1, whereas persevering with her ambassadorial position for Williams by serving to F1 Academy driver Lia Block.
“I want to be a racing driver first and foremost. But I’ve enjoyed the diversity that I’ve had this year,” stated Chadwick.
“Racing in the European Le Mans series and endurance racing is very enjoyable, it’s a big team effort – Le Mans, even though the result wasn’t there, it’s one of the most incredible experience I’ve experiences in my career.
“Then, being within the broadcasting group with Sky Sports activities and following F1 so intently, it seems like I discovered loads from that as effectively. I’ve actually loved this 12 months and it is one thing I wish to proceed.”
Chadwick: It is not nearly getting a lady into F1
Three-time W Collection champion Chadwick revealed a future in Components 1 was changing into more and more unrealistic, which is partly behind the explanation for her determination to race in endurance racing.
The final feminine driver to participate in an F1 weekend was F1 Academy managing director Susie Wolff for Williams on the 2014 British Grand Prix, when she took half in a follow session.
Lella Lombardi is the final driver to race within the Grand Prix itself, in 1976, and she or he’s the one girl to attain factors when she completed sixth on the 1975 Spanish Grand Prix.
“Understandably, there’s a big push for a woman to get to F1. But I think that shouldn’t just be the ultimate goal,” stated Chadwick.
Jamie Chadwick raced on the Le Mans 24 Hours for the primary time in June
“The goal is to get more women involved in the sport, and ultimately, more women into professional roles in the sport. On one hand, I can count the amount of women that are professionals in circuit racing, for example, so we want to encourage that.
“I need there to be as many ladies having the ability to compete within the sport as potential. In F1, it is 20 drivers on that grid, and it is so extremely aggressive that it’s going to be a activity, within the subsequent few years, to discover a girl there. In the end, if we are able to get as many ladies to skilled roles that will be superior.”
Chadwick spent 2023 and 2024 racing primarily in the USA in Indy NXT, a detailed equal to Components 2, successful a race in her second season.
She examined an IndyCar in September 2024 however is eager to proceed pursuing the sportscars route over the approaching years.
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Following her landmark win within the European Le Mans Collection earlier this 12 months, Jamie Chadwick shared her ‘final objective’ of a seat in Hypercar
“I am a believer that age shouldn’t necessarily play a factor in anything in motorsport, but I think naturally it does,” stated Chadwick.
“You look at how long I was in single-seaters for, and at what point you ultimately want to find yourself in a professional race seat and having the opportunity to compete in professional categories.
“Final 12 months felt like the appropriate alternative to maneuver over into endurance racing and, discover myself finally in a task like this.
“I think single seaters is amazing, so you can develop a lot individually. I think most people have the ultimate goal of going to Formula 1 or IndyCar, even though we got close to IndyCar, it felt a bit unrealistic to find myself in in a race seat that was going to be something where I could find a career.
“It was the appropriate timing. The final word objective is to be in a Hypercar seat sooner or later within the World Endurance Championship. It seems like the appropriate determination.”
Sky Sports activities F1’s Las Vegas GP Schedule
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Look again at among the most dramatic moments to have taken place on the Las Vegas Grand Prix
Thursday November 20
2am: Drivers’ Press Convention
5am: Paddock Uncut
Friday November 21
12am: Las Vegas GP Observe One (session begins at 12.30am)*
1.55am: F1 Academy Observe*
2.50am: Group Principals’ Press Convention
3.45am: Las Vegas GP Observe Two (session begins at 4am)*
5.25am: F1 Academy Qualifying*
6.10am: The F1 Present*
Saturday November 22
12.15am: Las Vegas GP Observe Three (session begins at 12.30am)*
2.10am: F1 Academy Race One*
3am: Las Vegas GP Qualifying build-up*
4am: LAS VEGAS GP QUALIFYING*
6am: Ted’s Qualifying Pocket book*
Sunday November 23
12.15am: F1 Academy Race Two
2.30am: Grand Prix Sunday: Las Vegas GP build-up*
4am: THE LAS VEGAS GRAND PRIX*
6am: Chequered Flag: Las Vegas GP response*
7am: Ted’s Pocket book*
*additionally dwell on Sky Sports activities Essential Occasion
Components 1’s thrilling title race continues with the Las Vegas Grand Prix this weekend, dwell on Sky Sports activities F1. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
