Chadwick on decision to chase IndyCar dream: 'It was obvious'

Jamie Chadwick has explained the motivation for her move onto the IndyCar ladder, with new team boss Michael Andretti confident of success

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December 2nd 2022

Chadwick is now aiming to crack America

Jamie Chadwick

Jamie Chadwick has spoken candidly about the choice she faced in making the next step in her career, with the Brit now leaving behind the European single-seater ladder to chase the American dream with Andretti in IndyCar’s second-tier Indy NXT championship.

Despite being a three-time W Series champion, the young ace has found opportunities to move up towards her eventual goal of Formula 1 scarce, a stint in Formula Regional being her only venture out of W Series in recent years.

“I had a really, really good feeling about it” Jamie Chadwick

She has now decided to go Stateside, and described the decision making process behind her new path.

“I first came over to test with the team earlier in the year and I had a really, really good feeling about it,” she said.

“I was in the process of weighing up options – ‘Where’s the best move for me beyond the W series? Do I stay in Europe? Where can I develop the most?’

Jamie Chadwick Indy Lights testing32 — Chadwick says she understands the importance of driving for a team like Andretti, with owner Michael expectant of results

Andretti

“Looking at the opportunities in America with the seat time, the performance, everything that something like Indy NXT offers, it seemed like a really obvious choice as somewhere to look.

“The feeling I got over in America, the commercial opportunities and everything involved with the Indy NXT championship and the team in Andretti, it just felt like a really good natural fit. It’s going to be definitely a good step up.”

Chadwick also emphasised how she is no-doubt of the multi-faceted significance of this latest move in her career.

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“It’s one thing having the opportunity to now step up and progressing to the championship like Indy NXT, but it’s another to be doing it with a team like Andretti,” she said.

“I think everyone wants these opportunities and very few people get them so I’m very, very grateful.”

Though having a full-time female driver in the second-tier series for the first time in over a decade is certainly a boon for IndyCar, Andretti was unequivocal in his reasons for signing Chadwick.

“The first thing she brings his talent,” he said. “I think she’s she’s a proven winner and we’re excited to give her a chance to move up to Indy NXT.

“She’s shown great potential already in the testing, she’s been right on the pace. I’m expecting really good things out of Jamie this year, so we’re really excited.”

Andretti highlighted the fact that Chadwick is hardly the first female driver to be taken under his team’s wing.

Jamie Chadwick Indy Lights testing 4 — The three-time W Series champion will take on a combination of ovals, street circuits and road courses

Andretti

“We’ve had many women drivers,” he said. “We gave women their first [IndyCar] win, which was Danica Patrick at Motegi, we have always supported it.

“But in the end I’m still looking for the best talent to drive our cars and Jamie is showing that.

“I think she can be a winner. If you’re going to be a winner in Indy NXT, you’re going to be able to go and win in the ‘big car’. That’s our goal with Jamie.”