Williams team principal James Vowles has praised Jamie Chadwick for her strong performance in her first Formula 1 test: she was only a few seconds behind Luke Browning
Williams team principal James Vowles has praised development driver Jamie Chadwick for her performance during her first Formula 1 test and revealed that she was only “a few seconds” behind the benchmark set by junior driver Luke Browning. “For a first outing, that’s a very good starting point,” the Englishman emphasised on Sky.
What might sound like a lot at first glance needs to be put into perspective. For Chadwick, the test in the previous year’s FW47 car at Portimão was her first time behind the wheel of a real Formula 1 car, whilst Browning regularly undertakes test drives for Williams and has already completed seven sessions in free practice.
He had also driven the FW47 in 2025 in Bahrain, Mexico and Abu Dhabi, and was allowed to take part in the Young Drivers’ Test at the Yas Marina Circuit.
Chadwick, who is competing in the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) in 2026, on the other hand, first had to get to grips with the Formula 1 car – not an easy task, according to Vowles.
“It’s a fast car. I think she can probably describe it better than I can, but when you actually drive a Formula 1 car for the first time and just tap the brake pedal, the deceleration is simply breathtaking,” he explains.
“ Even if you just take your foot off the accelerator, that’s already equivalent to one G of braking force – which would be extreme in most cars, such as road cars. It takes a while to get used to it. But I’m proud of what she’s achieved,” emphasises Vowles.
The team principal also vividly recalls an encounter with the three-time W Series champion in the paddock: “She came up to me and asked, ‘Is it really going to happen?’ I replied, ‘Yes, maybe, Jamie.’”
Vowles says he has never seen her so excited and delighted about anything before. “The fact that we were able to make this happen for her means the world to her. And she’s done a brilliant job. I’m absolutely delighted that we were able to offer her this opportunity. She’s earned it.”