British driver Jamie Chadwick is optimistic about the future of women’s motorsport and the growing openness of opportunities on and off the track. Chadwick, three-time W Series champion, prepares to compete this weekend in the UK. The European Le Mans Series (ELMS) event returns to Silverstone after six years. In the framework 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 test the Silverstone Kart facilities, which are scheduled to open at the end of this year. They will also have the opportunity to observe 27-year-old Chadwick during the first practice session on the track, corresponding to the penultimate round of the ELMS series. The driver, who recently expanded her all-female karting series to a junior category, hopes that these events will serve as an inspiration for the next generation of drivers and engineers.
Chadwick highlighted the increase in interest and participation in events like his, mentioning the success of his karting series in the UK. 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.For me, when I was the only girl among hundreds of boys at the local karting track, it wasn’t the most welcoming environment at first, but that’s changing now.
Jamie Chadwick
Chadwick highlights the increasing presence of women in various roles within motorsport, which contributes to modifying the traditionally male-dominated perception. The pilot emphasizes the importance of showing young women the multiple opportunities that sport offers, beyond driving on the track.It’s a great evolution of what we are seeing, the industry is changing a lot.
Jamie Chadwick
