Jamie Chadwick, three-time W Series champion, has finally turned her success in the all-female series into a bigger ride.
The British driver on Thursday was selected as a driver for Andretti Autosport in next season’s Indy NXT Series. The Indy NXT is the new name for the rebranded Indy Light Series, the final step on the ladder before the IndyCar.
Chadwick will make her debut in a series of US motorsports in March, taking 28th place to Andretti Autosport with DHL sponsorship. The 24-year-old will become the first woman in 13 years to compete full-time at the Indy NXT Championship.
Chadwick entered the women’s freestyle W Series in the inaugural 2019 season, winning two races and the first of three consecutive championships. She was previously a reserve driver for the Williams Formula One team and will reprise that role in 2023.
Despite her success, Chadwick failed to land a bigger ride in F3 or F2 and her chance didn’t come until Michael Andretti contacted her and offered to test on a car. Indy NXT.
The final three races of this year’s W Series schedule have been canceled as funding declines, but Chadwick still believes the all-female series is the right path for her.
“The W Series has always been and will continue to be a racing opportunity for every female driver, so on my part I was looking at it while I probably wanted to step up earlier, while at the same time being able to get it. opportunity to race, get that experience, have that growth, sit time… I’m constantly learning,” Chadwick told The Associated Press.
“In that sense, I’m not disappointed at all. But on the flip side, I’ve now had that test experience in the US in the Indy NXT and this is something I’m really excited about.”
Chadwick is also expected to have an enhanced role as a development driver next season alongside Williams, who has selected American driver Logan Sargeant to fill his vacancy on next year’s F1 grid.
“Andretti Autosport is proud to support Jamie alongside DHL,” said Michael Andretti. “Jamie’s successful career speaks for itself, but Indy NXT gives Jamie the opportunity to continue to thrive in a new type of racing.
“We have created five Indy NXT champions over the years and look forward to continuing our role in developing new talent.”
Andretti next season will bring on two drivers it has developed in Indy NXT during its IndyCar program: Kyle Kirkwood, the 2021 champion, will return to Andretti after a season of IndyCar driving for AJ Foyt Racing and Devlin DeFranceco return for the second season.
Chadwick will be teammates on Indy NXT alongside Hunter McElrea and Louis Foster. She becomes Andretti’s second full-time female driver alongside Catie Munnings, who competes for Andretti United in the Extreme E Series.
