Two-time W Series champion Jamie Chadwick will return to the all-female championship as she joins newly-founded Jenner Racing.
After her first title in W Series, Jamie Chadwick became an international racing star: as the winner of the first ever female-only championship, she attracted the world's attention and was signed by Williams F1 Team in a development driver role. With the on-track return of W Series in 2021, Chadwick returned to the series, in a bid to defend her crown and gain the much sought-after FIA Super Licence points. The 23-year-old from Bath, UK, joined Veloce Racing and, following an exciting head-to-head with compatriot Alice Powell, she sealed her second title at the COTA season finale. Chadwick took four race wins and seven podiums in 2021, bringing her grand total to 6 wins and 12 podiums over her 14 starts. With W Series' efforts to expand its presence to the US, American media personality, Olympic gold medalist and former racing driver Caitlyn Jenner will line up a team in the all-female championship in 2021, in a move that brought W Series under the spotlight of the mainstream audience. Jenner Racing has now announced to have signed the two-time champion for the 2022 campaign, as Chadwick will try to defend the title for the third year in a row "I am really excited to be returning to W Series to defend my title", said Chadwick. "To be asked to return by Jenner Racing was an opportunity I didn’t think twice about." "Together, we are focused on doing all we can to win title number three. I have spoken to Caitlyn Jenner and her vision for the team is amazing. I have zero doubt that she will be able to help take my career to the next level and open doors for me internationally." Since 2021, W Series has been racing on the F1 support bill and has extended its partnership in 2022 for eight race weekends across three continents – including two rounds on US soil and its first ever Asian round. "This is a big development year for me", she continued. "I have plans to run a supporting racing programme and I have made no secret of my desire to compete in F3 and F2. But timing is everything and the opportunity that W Series gives me to get more competitive experience at world-class circuits is a key step on my journey towards competing in F1."
After two W Series titles – which is ranked at Formula Regional level – Chadwick had in fact expressed interest in stepping up to FIA F3 and continuing her single seater progression. Per FIA regulations, drivers winning a junior formula awarding Super Licence points are not usually allowed to defend their title. It is unclear if she will therefore be eligible for Super Licence points in 2022. "Jamie is an exceptional talent who has helped elevate the profile of W Series and inspire the next generation of female racing drivers with her performances on track – which have seen her become a two-time W Series champion – and off it where she has articulated our mission passionately and eloquently to a global audience", commented W Series' CEO Catherine Bond Muir. "We are delighted that she has decided to defend her title, and I can't wait to watch her race at eight iconic circuits on the Formula 1 calendar for the Jenner Racing team." The championship will have its pre-season tests next week at Barcelona, Spain, while the first round of the 2022 season is scheduled for 6-8 May on the brand-new Miami International Autodrome.
