The driver Jamie Chadwick is optimistic about the future of women’s motorsport, highlighting the progress in creating pathways for more women to access opportunities, both on and off the track. Chadwick, three-time W-Series champion, prepares to compete this weekend in the UK, where the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) returns to Silverstone for the first time in six years. As part of Friday’s activities, students from local primary schools will participate in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) workshop at the Silverstone Museum, as well as try out the Silverstone Karting facilities, which will open this year. They will also have the opportunity to see 27-year-old Chadwick during the first practice session on the track for the penultimate round of the ELMS series. Chadwick, who recently expanded her own all-women karting series to a junior category, hopes that events like these will inspire the next generation of drivers and engineers.
“For me, when I was the only girl among hundreds of boys at my local karting track, it wasn’t the most welcoming environment at first, but that’s changing now,” Chadwick stated.
Jamie Chadwick“Every time we hold these events, we notice a significant increase; the level of interest has grown enormously.” “I have the karting series in the UK which has had much more interest than I expected, so we are trying to make it grow.” “It’s about broadening the perception of motorsport, to showcase the different opportunities available.” More than 450 girls have participated in the Jamie Chadwick Series events. In 2024, Daytona experienced a 400% increase in the participation of women in casual sessions on its outdoor karting tracks. Chadwick added: “It’s a great evolution of what we are seeing, the industry is changing a lot.” “We are seeing many more women, in different roles in general, who I don’t think have that domination or male bias that we have seen for so long.” “I think girls are more encouraged by it, but also the fan base is changing, the sports culture is changing.” “Regardless of girls and boys, it’s just about showing the opportunities that exist in our sport: there’s much more than just driving on the track.” “There are many different roles, many great elements of the sport, and simply giving those girls that opportunity to see it is really important.”
