Grassroots key to getting a female driver to F1, says Chadwick

Jamie Chadwick, Britain's top woman racer and triple champion in the now-defunct W Series, believes female drivers can rise to the top in motorsport if more start at the bottom. She runs an initiative to attract girls to karting and the motorsport pathway, emphasizing the need for an inviting environment in a sport still dominated by men.

Chadwick recalled being the only girl at the go-kart track as an eight-to-12-year-old, which wasn't always the most welcoming atmosphere. She aimed to create a community where young girls can make friends, enjoy races, and naturally enter the sport. Chadwick, 28, noted that starting younger, as early as four years old, gives men an advantage, as parents are more likely to encourage boys to race.

Since 1976, when Lella Lombardi became the only woman to finish a Grand Prix in a scoring position, more women have entered motorsport. However, Chadwick believes it will take time for grassroots pathways to produce results, with the current ratio of female drivers likely around 80-20. She remains optimistic about the next generation of female racing drivers, predicting they will be the best the sport has ever seen within five years, despite the challenge posed by the growing quality of all drivers.