Jamie Chadwick never asked to be a symbol. Yet as a prominent female driver on the single-seater ladder, every off day was often scrutinised as a reflection of her gender rather than just a bad day at the office. Speaking on the Significant Figures podcast, the Genesis Magma Racing reserve driver opened up about the weight she carried.
"I did, but more because when I wasn't fast, I just want to be slow. I don't want to have to... if I am slow, it's not because I'm a woman. I'm slow because I'm slow today. Just let me be slow," Jamie Chadwick said of the pressure she felt.
The burden intensified as she realised her performances were always tied to the broader cause of women in motorsport. "If I was fast every day, then I'd happily be waving the female flag and be like, 'Look what we can do.' And I mean, that is the sport, well, some people are good every day, but I'm not good every day. And that is a weight that I carried," she added.
Chadwick is no stranger to making history. In 2015, she became the first female and youngest champion of the British GT Championship, before racing in British Formula 3 in 2017 and 2018. Her journey continued in the all-female W Series, where she secured three consecutive titles between 2019 and 2022. She then moved to Indy NXT, becoming the first woman to win on a road or street course. Her experience also extends to the European Le Mans Series and Extreme E. Currently, she serves as a Williams Racing ambassador and Williams Driver Academy adviser for F1 Academy.
Despite her achievements, Chadwick admits the spotlight often felt different. "Four or five years ago, there were so few of us competing at whatever level we're competing at that it felt like the eyeballs are on you as a woman rather than as a racing driver. And if you don't do a good job, then, like I say, that reflects on the gender to a degree," she explained.
Now, with more women entering the sport across various disciplines, the weight has eased. "And now not so much because there are so many more women in the sport. I feel like it's less so," she said.
Chadwick's story highlights the dual burden female drivers often face: racing against rivals while also carrying the hopes of a movement. As motorsport becomes more inclusive, the road ahead looks brighter for the next generation.
Baca Juga
Isack Hadjar dipastikan kembali ke Red Bull untuk GP Azerbaijan di Baku setelah pulih dari cedera pergelangan tangan. Liam Lawson kembali ke Racing Bulls.
F1 Commission setujui pemangkasan jarak balapan menjadi 290 km mulai 2027 untuk mengakomodasi perubahan power unit. Simak alasan dan dampaknya bagi tim dan pembalap.
FIA mengumumkan perubahan regulasi F1 2027: jarak balapan dipangkas, aturan waktu diperbarui, dan homologasi gearbox dihapus. Simak dampaknya bagi tim dan penggemar.
Lanjutkan dengan Google
Diskusi & Komentar (0)
Mari Bergabung dalam Diskusi!
Masuk dengan mudah untuk mulai memberikan komentar, membalas, dan berinteraksi dengan pembaca lainnya.
Komentar Terbaru
Belum ada komentar. Jadilah yang pertama!