By Alex Johnston
Yes, I know, I know. You know who Jamie Chadwick is…So why am I choosing her? The three time W Series champion has certainly begun to get people talking as of late, as her Indy NXT campaign has gained some traction. The 26 year old has been something of a late bloomer but rightfully now has people interested.
Chadwick moved to America in 2023, joining up with the Andretti team and putting in what can be described as a ‘just okay’ rookie season for the team, with an overall finish of 12th in the standings and a best race finish of sixth in the third to last race of the season at Portland International Raceway,
For 2024, she appears to have sprung forward, sitting ninth overall after six rounds, having taken one podium, one pole position and after the Road America round - the first win taken by a female driver in Indy NXT since 2010 when Pippa Mann took victory at the Kentucky Speedway.
📸 Chadwick has enjoyed a strong start to the Indy NXT season.
If she can maintain the momentum, she’ll fancy her herself a title contender as early rumours of a step up to IndyCar with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing have begun to swirl - but with eight rounds still to complete, it’ll be no easy task.
It’s worth remembering, she’s not just performed in W Series, where she dominated so heavily for the championship’s existence but took a podium in Formula Regional in 2020 as she finished ninth overall but as well was a race winner in British Formula 3, in a field that contained familiar names like Kush Maini(now with Alpine and in F2), IndyCar rookie star Linus Lundqvist, and Billy Monger - a Pau Grand Prix winner in Euroformula.
📸 Like Chadwick, Linus Lundqvist was on pole at Road America*
*in IndyCar
She also remains a member of the Williams F1 Driver Academy, as she has since 2019 and provides expert help to fellow Williams junior Lia Block, who is currently racing in F1 Academy.
Jamie Chadwick; now more than ever, is one to watch.
📸 Image credits: INDY NXT, Linus Lundqvist, Jamie Chadwick.
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