Chadwick: Latifi path to F1 shows merits of Williams academy

Jamie Chadwick has renewed confidence in breaking into Formula 1 having taken encouragement from seeing Nicholas Latifi progress with support from the Williams Driver Academy.

The inaugural W Series champion has been retained within the Williams academy for 2020 as she looks to defend her title along with assessing options racing in Japanese Formula 3.

As she continues in her pursuit to race in F1, Chadwick also feels Latifi’s promotion into the Williams’ F1 driver line-up for 2020 means she can follow in the Canadian driver’s footsteps.

“Of course, I think Formula 1 is the ultimate goal, and to see what Nicholas has done, I think always makes it just seem that bit more achievable,” Chadwick said. “Obviously the way he’s gone about his career is something similar to what I want to do and achieve, and I think just to be part of the Williams academy shows that it is an actual attainable goal to be in Formula 1 one day with Williams.

“Obviously Nicholas is the first graduate of the Williams Driver Academy to make the step up into Formula 1, so I think from my point of view, being in the academy, that’s a great thing to see, and it makes the goal of being in Formula 1 one day that bit more realistic and attainable, potentially. It’s nice to know I’m in the right environment to make it one day happen.”

Chadwick will continue her development driver role at Williams this year as part of the team’s academy with an increased workload to her simulator programme duties as well as being fully immersed within the team both trackside and at its Grove headquarters.

Chadwick is joined by ex-Red Bull junior Dan Ticktum in the Williams junior ranks for 2020.

Latifi will be the sole F1 rookie this year and completes Williams’ driver line-up alongside George Russell having replaced Robert Kubica who has left Williams to become a test and development driver at Alfa Romeo.