Motorsport Evolving to Create More Opportunities for Women —Jamie Chadwick
BRITISH racing driver and three-time W-Series champion Jamie Chadwick has expressed optimism that the ongoing evolution in motorsport will continue to open doors for more women, both as competitors and professionals behind the scenes.
Chadwick, 27, will be back in action in the United Kingdom this weekend as the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) returns to Silverstone Circuit for the first time in six years.
As part of the weekend’s activities, schoolgirls from local primary schools will participate in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) workshop at the Silverstone Museum. The event will also include a session at the new Kart Silverstone facilities, which are set to open later this year.
The participants will have the opportunity to watch Chadwick during the first practice session ahead of the penultimate round of the ELMS season.
Chadwick, who recently expanded her all-female karting series into a junior category, said she hopes such initiatives will inspire the next generation of female drivers, engineers, and team members.
“When I started karting, I was often the only girl out of hundreds of boys at the track. It wasn’t the most inviting environment initially, but that is changing,” Chadwick said.
She noted that interest in women’s participation in motorsport has grown significantly in recent years.
“Whenever we organize events like this, we see a massive increase in interest. My karting series has had far more participation than I expected, which shows that there’s a real appetite to grow this movement,” she added.
According to Chadwick, more than 450 girls have taken part in events organized through the Jamie Chadwick Series, while Daytona reported a 400 percent increase in female participation at its outdoor karting venues in 2024.
“It’s exciting to see how the industry is changing. We’re seeing many more women in different roles — engineers, mechanics, strategists, and even leadership positions,” she said.
Chadwick also emphasized that the sport now offers opportunities beyond just driving.
“There are so many great elements to motorsport. It’s not only about racing — it’s about engineering, data, logistics, marketing, and teamwork. Giving young girls a chance to see that is really important,” she concluded.
The initiative at Silverstone is part of a broader effort to make motorsport more diverse and accessible, ensuring that future generations see it as a viable and welcoming career path.
