Portugal Colonial - Williams boss hails Chadwick as F1 inspiration for women

Chadwick, 28, a three-time champion in the W-series for women, completed 32 laps of the Portimao circuit in a Williams FW47, last year's F1 entry, to impress Vowles with her performance on what she said was "the best day of my life".

"She is an inspiration for millions of women and girls, who has broken records at every level," said Vowles.

"And she has thoroughly earned this test opportunity. She gathered important data for the team as we prepare to return to Portimao next year.

"Her feedback and her performance were impressive as we knew they would be and this shows there is a path for women to compete at the top level."

Her test run made her the second female driver this year to drive an F1 car following Frenchwoman Doriane Pin with Mercedes.

She follows Susie Wolff, who is managing director of the all-female F1 Academy series and wife of Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff, in being the second to drive a Williams as she did in 2015.

"It was a phenomenal day and an incredible experience," said Chadwick, who has also won races in Indy NXT and the European Le Mans series.

"Few things can prepare you for driving an F1 car at speed around a track like Portimao, but it was everything I imagined and 10 times more.

"I think I did just the right amount because my neck had had enough. My head was tipping forwards under braking and I found it was tough."

Williams, who started racing karts when she was 11, became the second woman to join the Williams driver academy in 2019.

"I'm incredibly grateful to Williams," she said.

"I remember being young and watching Susie Wolff step into a Williams F1 car and how much that inspired my own journey.

"I'd love to be able to do the same for the next generation and the experience I gained today will make a real difference both to my own racing and to what I can pass on.

"I'm so grateful and incredibly happy with how the day went. It's an experience I'll remember for a very long time.

"I'd go as far as saying it's been the best day of my life so far."

O.Gaspar--PC