Could one of those seats she’s looking to climb into in 2020 be in a Formula 1 car? During 2019, the other significant breakthrough Chadwick made, beyond winning in W Series and also representing Aston Martin in GT racing, was the deal she signed to join Williams as a development driver. Simulator work has been her main opportunity in these times of limited testing in F1, but that is not to be underestimated.
“The Williams relationship has been really good,” says Chadwick. “The role predominantly has been development work and simulator-based, but towards the end of this year I got a lot more involved in weekend race support which I really enjoyed because it had a direct correlation to what they were doing at the track.
“In terms of getting in the car, that’s an ongoing discussion. We’re pushing as hard as we can but they have got bigger things to worry about than me at the moment.”
She was “really pleasantly surprised” how much work Williams put into her development. So does a future in F1 feel within reach now?
“To be honest, it feels further away,” she states. “Young drivers would underestimate massively the level of F1 and how high it is in comparison to junior series. Not in a bad way, but in a refreshing way I now know what I need to learn in the next few years. I’m not going to rush that or try to cheat it.
“Last season I got comments on social media asking if I was going to replace [Robert] Kubica. In my head, even if I had the super-licence points that was not realistic. If I get to F1 I want to be the best possible driver to make my mark rather than being there a year or two too early.”