Latest news with #JamieChadwick
Forbes
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
Formula E Rookie Test Wraps With Just 1.5 Seconds Covering Entire Grid
BERLIN, GERMANY - JULY 14: The 2025 rookies line up for a picture during the Formula E Berlin Rookie ... More Test at Tempelhof Airport Circuit on July 14, 2025 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Joe Portlock/LAT Images) The 2025 Formula E Rookie Test recently concluded at Flughafen Tempelhof in Berlin, featuring 22 promising drivers from 11 teams, all piloting the cutting-edge GEN3 Evo cars, the fastest electric race machines in the world. This exclusive test serves as a high-stakes proving ground, accelerating driver development by putting emerging talent behind the wheel of the sport's most advanced electric technology. By the end of the test, the entire grid of 22 drivers was separated by just 1.550 seconds. This year's test stood out for the participation of four talented women: 2024 F1 Academy Champion Abbi Pulling, three-time W Series Champion Jamie Chadwick, McLaren Development Driver and F1 Academy racer Ella Lloyd, and Cupra Kiro Development Driver Bianca Bustamante. Jeff Dodds On Formula E Rookie Test And Driving Talent Forward BERLIN, GERMANY - JULY 14: Jamie Chadwick of Great Britain and Jaguar TCS Racing talks to a ... More colleague from her cockpit during the Formula E Berlin Rookie Test at Tempelhof Airport Circuit on July 14, 2025 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Simon Galloway/LAT Images for Formula E) Jeff Dodds, CEO of Formula E, explains the broad impact and importance of the rookie test within the championship's growth strategy. 'The rookie test is multifaceted in its impact. From a hype and visibility perspective, it's huge, 22 drivers, many experiencing Formula E cars for the first time, and a mix of talent that includes top-tier Formula 2 drivers like Jak Crawford, who's in the conversation for a potential Formula One seat, and Alex Dunne, McLaren's test driver with F1 practice experience.' He adds, 'What makes this year even more special is the inclusion of four women, Pulling, Chadwick, Bustamante and Lloyd. Just a year ago, we held our first dedicated women's test in Madrid. Now, seeing four women compete in the main rookie test is a tremendous sign of progress.' Dodds stresses the strategic value of the rookie test as a key part of Formula E's long-term vision. 'Formula E cars are extremely challenging to drive. It's easy for teams to rely on experienced drivers. But if we want new talent to rise through the ranks, we have to give them seat time to prove they can handle the complexity.' He points to Taylor Barnard's standout rookie season as evidence of what's possible: 'Five podiums in his first year, that's exactly the kind of breakthrough we want the rookie test to help uncover.' Beyond performance, Dodds explains Formula E's deeper mission to reshape access and equity in motorsport. 'This sport has historically been dominated by privileged, usually white, middle-class men,' he says. 'At the grassroots level, 97 percent of licensed drivers are male. If we want different outcomes, we have to do something different.' 'That's where the rookie and women's tests come in. These initiatives create entry points for drivers who may not have had traditional pathways into the sport. And unlike many other series, our drivers don't have to bring money to the team. Everyone is paid to drive. That really helps level the playing field.' Dodds sums it up simply, 'Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. We're working hard to change that. It's not perfect yet, but we're making meaningful progress.' Beth Paretta On Developing Talent And Advancing Women In Formula E BERLIN, GERMANY - JULY 14: L-R: Theo Pouchaire of France and Maserati MSG Racing, Frederik Vesti of ... More Denmark and Andretti Formula E, Arthur Leclerc of Monaco and Maserati MSG Racing, Dino Beganovic of Sweden and Mahindra Racing, Ella Lloyd of Great Britain and NEOM McLaren Formula E Team and Abbi Pulling of Great Britain and Nissan Formula E Team participate in a press conference during the Formula E Berlin Rookie Test at Tempelhof Airport Circuit on July 14, 2025 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Simon Galloway/LAT Images for Formula E) Beth Paretta, Vice President of Sporting for Formula E, outlines the essential role the rookie test plays in nurturing emerging talent. She explains that the test serves two main purposes: providing drivers with critical seat time in Formula E cars and helping teams prepare for the future. 'Teams want to build relationships with young drivers so that when substitutes or new talent are needed, they already know who to call. The rookie test is really the culmination of months or even years of development work.' She points out how a strong performance at the rookie test can significantly impact a driver's career. 'It's not just about one fast lap; it's about showing consistent pace, effectively communicating with the team, and learning throughout the day. A great rookie test can open doors to full-time race seats or attract interest from other teams across the paddock.' Paretta reflects on women's involvement in Formula E from the start, naming pioneers like Katherine Legge, Simona de Silvestro, and Michela Cerruti. 'This season, four women are racing on the grid, all of whom took part in last November's women's test.' She highlights the importance of dedicated testing programs to develop female talent. 'The women's test functions similarly to the rookie test by keeping teams focused on building a pipeline of female drivers. Many teams now have women development drivers, which was exactly our goal. The fact that four women secured seats after the women's test in Madrid shows the real impact of intentional efforts.' Looking ahead, Paretta is optimistic about women securing full-time Formula E seats. 'We're very close. Women are posting times within the top ten. The historic barrier has been opportunity, not ability. With the seat time these tests provide, teams can better assess driver readiness. Formula E is leading the way in making this change happen.' Abbi Pulling Brings Momentum To Formula E Rookie Test With Nissan BERLIN, GERMANY - JULY 14: Gabriele Mini of Italy and Nissan Formula E Team and Abbi Pulling of ... More Great Britain and Nissan Formula E Team look on during the Formula E Berlin Rookie Test at Tempelhof Airport Circuit on July 14, 2025 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Andrew Ferraro/LAT Images) British racing driver Abbi Pulling has quickly become one of the most exciting young talents on the international motorsport stage. The 22-year-old is currently competing in the 2025 GB3 Championship with Rodin Motorsport and serves as the rookie and simulator driver for the Nissan Formula E Team. Fresh off her 2024 F1 Academy drivers' title, Pulling has already made an impression in electric racing, setting the fastest lap at Formula E's first all-women's test in Madrid last November. 'I'm just incredibly thankful,' Pulling said, reflecting on the opportunity to join Nissan. 'Everyone at Nissan has shown real belief in me, and I'm grateful they see potential. We had a successful women's test, and now stepping into the rookie test is the next big step.' Held on the unique concrete layout of Berlin's Tempelhof Airport circuit, the rookie test is a rare chance for young drivers to gain real-world experience in the complex and unforgiving GEN3 Evo car. It's also an essential part of Formula E's strategy to broaden the driver pipeline and for Pulling, a chance to take another step toward the grid. 'These cars are complex. There's a lot to understand,' she said. 'But I'm ready to put in the work and keep pushing toward that dream.' Pulling has already spent time in the simulator and at the Nissan factory in preparation for the Madrid test, an experience she describes as eye-opening in the best possible way. 'From the first moment I visited, everyone was so welcoming. The preparation leading up to Madrid was amazing, everyone wanted to make sure I had what I needed to succeed. I just feel really lucky to be with this team.' BERLIN, GERMANY - JULY 14: Abbi Pulling of Great Britain driving the (17) Nissan Formula E Team ... More Nissan e-4ORCE 05 drives on track during the Formula E Berlin Rookie Test at Tempelhof Airport Circuit on July 14, 2025 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Simon Galloway/LAT Images for Formula E) While Monday's rookie test was just one day, Pulling sees it as part of a much longer journey. 'Every time you're in the car, it's a learning day. These cars are so unique. There's always something new to pick up. I took a lot away from Madrid, but there's still more to work on. That's where my focus will be.' Berlin's Tempelhof circuit presents its own challenges, far removed from the smoother, more traditional F1 Academy tracks she's used to. 'I've raced on street circuits before, but Tempelhof is raw and unforgiving. It's narrow, bumpy, and there's very little room for error. Even though I'm not racing wheel-to-wheel, you can tell that if you get it wrong, there's no coming back. That kind of pressure forces you to be perfect in every corner.' Pulling is also playing a vital role in Nissan's simulator development, an increasingly important tool in modern racing, especially with limited physical testing allowed. 'The simulator is massive for me,' she explained. 'It's the most cost-effective way to prepare and helps me get familiar with all the technical systems, energy targets, regen braking, front motor activation. There's a lot more to manage than in the high-downforce cars I've driven. Being able to build muscle memory in the sim makes a huge difference when I get on track.' With the support of a team like Nissan behind her, she's well positioned to continue progressing toward a full-time seat. 'The goal is always to earn a place on the grid,' she said. 'That's what I'm working toward every day.' Jamie Chadwick Returns To Formula E With Jaguar TCS Racing BERLIN, GERMANY - JULY 14: Jamie Chadwick of Great Britain and Jaguar TCS Racing and Leonardo ... More Fornaroli of Italy and Jaguar TCS Racing look on during the 2025 rookie line up picture during the Formula E Berlin Rookie Test at Tempelhof Airport Circuit on July 14, 2025 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Andrew Ferraro/LAT Images) British racing driver Jamie Chadwick brought her signature calm and competitiveness to Berlin's Flughafen Tempelhof as she joined Jaguar TCS Racing for the Formula E Rookie Test. A three-time W Series champion and current European Le Mans Series competitor with IDEC Sport, Chadwick has built one of the most impressive resumes in women's motorsport. She also holds roles with both the Williams Formula One team and Jaguar in Formula E. This year's rookie test marked another important chapter in her ongoing journey through top-tier racing categories. 'I feel like I've now had a few opportunities to drive the GEN3 car, all in different circumstances,' Chadwick explained. 'The last time was during an FP0 session, which had a slightly different focus. For the rookie test, it's great to have the full day. My priority is to get up to speed quickly and ultimately do the best job I can for the team.' With just one race remaining in the 2024–2025 Formula E season, teams are pushing to fine-tune their setups and test new ideas and Chadwick is eager to contribute. 'I want to do everything I can to support the team and have a clean, productive day.' Her ongoing relationship with Jaguar has provided a foundation for growth and continuity in her racing pursuits. 'I've worked with Jaguar on and off over the past few years,' she said. 'It's been great to build a relationship over time. They're incredibly welcoming and open to having me involved. They want to help me as much as I want to help them, and that creates a great environment.' Chadwick acknowledges the unique opportunity to learn from one of the strongest teams on the grid. 'The team is incredibly strong, and the current drivers are pushing hard. It's exciting and motivating to be part of that kind of setup.' BERLIN, GERMANY - JULY 14: Jamie Chadwick of Great Britain driving the (37) Jaguar TCS Racing Jaguar ... More I-TYPE 7 drives on track during the Formula E Berlin Rookie Test at Tempelhof Airport Circuit on July 14, 2025 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Joe Portlock/LAT Images) The Tempelhof circuit itself offers a distinct challenge, one that Chadwick embraces. 'It's definitely quite short compared to some others,' she said. 'But one of the things I really enjoy about Formula E is the variety. No two tracks are the same, some are purpose-built, some are street circuits, and then you have places like this. Adapting to that variation is a huge part of the skillset.' With the rookie test following a full race weekend, she and the team had ample data and insight heading into the session. 'We've been able to follow and learn a lot, so that should put us in a good place. It's a cool track with a unique vibe.' Outside of Formula E, Chadwick has had a busy and fulfilling season. She competed in the Mille Miglia and continues her campaign in the European Le Mans Series, adding endurance racing to her growing repertoire. 'I'm feeling really good and enjoying every opportunity that comes my way,' she said. 'Mille Miglia was a big highlight, even though we didn't finish, it was incredible. I'm really enjoying ELMS as well. The challenge of endurance racing is great, and it's been so valuable to have that variety in my career.' Chadwick sees positive momentum from November's all-women's test in Madrid. 'There are a lot of talented drivers on the grid this year,' she said. 'It's also great to see several female drivers getting another chance to drive after the women's test. That's always a positive step for the championship.' For Chadwick, opportunities like this one aren't just about the immediate session, they're about long-term growth and staying close to the cutting edge of the sport. Bianca Bustamante Steps Up With CUPRA Kiro BERLIN, GERMANY - JULY 11: Bianca Bustamante of the Philippines and CUPRA KIRO and Dan Ticktum of ... More Great Britain and CUPRA KIRO look on in the Pitlane ahead of Practice, ahead of the Berlin E-Prix, Round 13 of the 2025 FIA Formula E World Championship at Tempelhof Airport Circuit on July 11, 2025 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Joe Portlock/LAT Images) Filipino racing driver Bianca Bustamante is steadily expanding her expertise in motorsport. She currently competes in the GB3 Championship with Elite Motorsport and serves as development driver for the CUPRA Kiro Formula E Team. A former F1 Academy driver and one of the standout performers in last year's all-women's test in Madrid, Bustamante recently returned to the GEN3 Evo in Berlin. 'Joining CUPRA Kiro as a development driver is an incredible step in my career,' Bustamante says. 'I'm learning so much on the engineering side, through the systems, and in how to work closely with the team. It's giving me a stronger foundation as a driver and helping me grow in every area.' She emphasizes the importance of building technical understanding in Formula E. 'This is a championship where it's not just about jumping in the car and driving. There's strategy, energy management, and preparation that goes on behind the scenes. It's been valuable for me to develop that mindset.' BERLIN, GERMANY - JULY 14: Bianca Bustamante of the Philippines driving the (3) CUPRA KIRO Porsche ... More 99X Electric WCG3 drives on track during the Formula E Berlin Rookie Test at Tempelhof Airport Circuit on July 14, 2025 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Joe Portlock/LAT Images) Her time with the team has included simulator work and shadowing the squad during race weekends, including the recent round in Jakarta. 'I've been preparing for Berlin just like I would for any race weekend, working on the sim, reviewing data, and learning from the engineers. That's been a big focus.' Bustamante's previous experience in Madrid helped shape her approach heading into the rookie test. 'The GEN3 car demands precision and discipline. That experience taught me to be methodical and patient, and I've been able to carry that into my other racing programs as well.' Bustamante welcomed the chance to compete alongside a highly experienced field. 'There are several Formula 2 drivers here, so although it's called a rookie test, the level is extremely high. For me, it's about measuring myself against the best, continuing to improve, and seeing how far I've come.' Ella Lloyd Embraces Second Formula E Opportunity As McLaren Development Driver BERLIN, GERMANY - JULY 14: Ella Lloyd of Great Britain and NEOM McLaren Formula E Team speaks in a ... More press conference during the Formula E Berlin Rookie Test at Tempelhof Airport Circuit on July 14, 2025 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Joe Portlock/LAT Images) British driver Ella Lloyd, competing in F1 Academy and part of the McLaren Development Program, has risen quickly through the motorsport ranks and continues to show why she's a standout talent. Unlike many of her peers, Lloyd began racing just two years ago. Before stepping into a race car, she was competing in show jumping and skiing, two disciplines that shaped her competitive mindset and discipline. 'I only started racing in 2022 when I was 16, which is quite a bit later than most drivers,' she explains. 'But I was pretty competitive in both show jumping and skiing, and I've brought a lot of what I learned there into motorsport.' BERLIN, GERMANY - JULY 14: Ella Lloyd of Great Britain driving the (8) NEOM McLaren Formula E Team ... More Nissan e-4ORCE 05 drives on track during the Formula E Berlin Rookie Test at Tempelhof Airport Circuit on July 14, 2025 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Andrew Ferraro/LAT Images) After making her debut in Ginetta Juniors, she advanced quickly, finishing as vice champion in her second season. She then moved into British F4, where she collected four podiums and made headlines with a wildcard entry in Singapore, scoring points in both races. That performance earned her a spot as a McLaren development driver and a full-time seat in F1 Academy. Lloyd first tested the GEN3 Formula E car during the women's test in Madrid last November. 'That was an amazing experience,' she says. 'Jumping from F4 to a GEN3 car was a big step, but I felt prepared then and even more ready now.' Heading into the Rookie Test in Berlin, Lloyd focused on building consistency and learning. 'There's not one specific thing I'm focusing on bringing into this test,' she says. 'But I just want to continue improving overall. I'm going into it with an open mind and a focus on learning as much as I can from the team and the people around me in Formula E.' Formula E Season 11 Highlights And Future Outlook BERLIN, GERMANY - JULY 13: World Driver's Champion Oliver Rowland of Great Britain and Nissan ... More Formula E Team celebrates with the team in the Pitlane during the Berlin E-Prix, Round 14 of the 2025 FIA Formula E World Championship at Tempelhof Airport Circuit on July 13, 2025 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Simon Galloway/LAT Images for Formula E) With just one race remaining, the London E Prix on 26 and 27 July 2025, Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds reflects on the progress made, calling Season 11 'a landmark year.' He notes, 'We're on track to surpass 500 million cumulative TV viewers. Fan engagement is up, and innovations like the Pit Boost have added excitement. Technologically, the GEN3 Evo is now the fastest accelerating Formula car in the world.' Looking forward, Dodds shares excitement about the future: 'Next season will be fascinating. While we continue racing GEN3 Evo, teams will start testing the Gen4 car, a huge leap set for debut next December. The grid will evolve with new teams joining, others leaving, and new venues like Madrid's Jarama and Miami's Hard Rock Stadium layout.' Beth Paretta, Vice President of Sporting, echoes this optimism: 'Next season will be the final run for the GEN3 Evo, a fantastic race car that has delivered thrilling racing and grown our fanbase.' She adds, 'The paddock is full of incredible stories and personalities, from drivers to teams and manufacturers. The fierce manufacturer competition among Porsche, Nissan, Jaguar, Hindra, and Maserati creates an exciting technical battle that appeals to true racing fans.' Highlighting the competitive spirit of Formula E, Paretta notes, '2025 World Champion Oliver Rowland has been strong, but we've also seen first-time winners and new teams rising to the top. This unpredictability is what makes Formula E special. Our goal is to keep growing the audience so more people can experience this great racing around the world.'
Reuters
14-07-2025
- Automotive
- Reuters
Formula E rookie test pits women alongside the men in Berlin
July 14 (Reuters) - Formula E would love to have a female driver back on the starting grid but, on times alone, the all-electric series' rookie test in Berlin on Monday suggested that it remained some way off. Four women took part in the test after weekend races at Tempelhof but the highest in the overall classification was Abbi Pulling, last year's F1 Academy champion and current GB3 competitor, in 17th with the Nissan team. Fellow-Briton Ella Lloyd, who competes in British F4 and F1 Academy, was 18th for McLaren and Jamie Chadwick, three-times winner of the now-defunct W Series and a Williams F1 development driver now racing in European Le Mans, was 19th for Jaguar. Bianca Bustamante of the Philippines, a GB3 racer with 1.7 million followers on Instagram, was 22nd and last for the Cupra Kiro team although the entire grid was separated by just 1.550 seconds. Italian Gabriele Mini was overall fastest for Nissan in a field that included former F1 racer Daniil Kvyat, Charles Leclerc's younger brother Arthur and leading Formula Two drivers. Formula E chief executive Jeff Dodds told Reuters ahead of the test that he was optimistic a woman would make it back onto the grid before too long. "We went from no women testing really, to 20 women in the official women's test last year and off the back of that we've actually got four women testing in the actual rookie test now in Berlin," he said. "So that's a big jump, we've made progress. "In the end the teams will make a choice based on what their objectives are in terms of building a fan base, promoting themselves as a team, bringing on sponsors and partners and being as successful as they can be. "It may not be next year but I would love over the next couple of years to see women back racing on that grid." Three women have raced in the series, which is now in its 11th season -- Britain's Katherine Legge twice in 2014, Switzerland's Simona de Silvestro started 12 times in 2015-16 and Michela Cerruti four times in 2014-15. De Silvestro is the only one to have scored points. Unlike Formula E, Formula One has not had a woman start a race since Lella Lombardi in 1976. Pulling, who was top in last year's all-female test, told Reuters recently she saw Formula E as "a really viable career path in the future". "For now I'm going to keep going up the ladder as far as possible and see where things take me," she said. "I don't have the finances to plan massively in advance so it all depends on how I perform this year."
CNA
14-07-2025
- Automotive
- CNA
Formula E rookie test pits women alongside the men in Berlin
Formula E would love to have a female driver back on the starting grid but, on times alone, the all-electric series' rookie test in Berlin on Monday suggested that it remained some way off. Four women took part in the test after weekend races at Tempelhof but the highest in the overall classification was Abbi Pulling, last year's F1 Academy champion and current GB3 competitor, in 17th with the Nissan team. Fellow-Briton Ella Lloyd, who competes in British F4 and F1 Academy, was 18th for McLaren and Jamie Chadwick, three-times winner of the now-defunct W Series and a Williams F1 development driver now racing in European Le Mans, was 19th for Jaguar. Bianca Bustamante of the Philippines, a GB3 racer with 1.7 million followers on Instagram, was 22nd and last for the Cupra Kiro team although the entire grid was separated by just 1.550 seconds. Italian Gabriele Mini was overall fastest for Nissan in a field that included former F1 racer Daniil Kvyat, Charles Leclerc's younger brother Arthur and leading Formula Two drivers. Formula E chief executive Jeff Dodds told Reuters ahead of the test that he was optimistic a woman would make it back onto the grid before too long. "We went from no women testing really, to 20 women in the official women's test last year and off the back of that we've actually got four women testing in the actual rookie test now in Berlin," he said. "So that's a big jump, we've made progress. "In the end the teams will make a choice based on what their objectives are in terms of building a fan base, promoting themselves as a team, bringing on sponsors and partners and being as successful as they can be. "It may not be next year but I would love over the next couple of years to see women back racing on that grid." Three women have raced in the series, which is now in its 11th season - Britain's Katherine Legge twice in 2014, Switzerland's Simona de Silvestro started 12 times in 2015-16 and Michela Cerruti four times in 2014-15. De Silvestro is the only one to have scored points. Unlike Formula E, Formula One has not had a woman start a race since Lella Lombardi in 1976. Pulling, who was top in last year's all-female test, told Reuters recently she saw Formula E as "a really viable career path in the future". "For now I'm going to keep going up the ladder as far as possible and see where things take me," she said. "I don't have the finances to plan massively in advance so it all depends on how I perform this year."
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Berlin Rookie Test: Jaguar TCS Racing nominates Jamie Chadwick, Leonardo Fornaroli
Image credit: Formula E There are just a few days to go for the Berlin Rookie Test that will follow the Berlin E-Prix this weekend. Filling in the last slots, Jaguar TCS Racing have announced Jamie Chadwick and Formula 3 champion Leonardo Fornaroli as their nominees for the Berlin Rookie Test. It will take place at the Tempelhof Airport Circuit on July 14, Monday. All about Jamie Chadwick and Leonardo Fornaroli Jamie Chadwick recently won the European Le Mans Series events for IDEC Sport in the LMP2 class. She also tried her hand at the Jaguar I-TYPE 7 after driving it in the Women's Test in Madrid and the Rookie Free Practice session in Jeddah. Leonardo Fornaroli currently drives for Invicta Racing and is fourth in the FIA Formula 2 standings. He is also the current Formula 3 champion. Sharing his excitement ahead of the Berlin test, he said, 'It is a privilege to mark my first official test in Formula E with Jaguar TCS Racing. It is going to be a new challenge for me, but one I am looking forward to. To work with the current world championship-winning team is a great opportunity for me and it will be really exciting to take to the Tempelhof Airport circuit for the first time.' James Barclay, Jaguar TCS Racing Team Principal, said about the two rookies, "We're delighted to welcome back Jamie to the team and give her another chance to put the Jaguar I-TYPE 7 through its paces. Jamie has enjoyed plenty of success in sportscars this year and has excelled across multiple motorsport disciplines, so it will be great to see her drive in Formula E again.' She said about Fornaroli, 'We are also delighted to welcome Leonardo into the team in Berlin. Leonardo is enjoying an impressive debut season in Formula 2 off the back of winning the Formula 3 title last year – a superb achievement against a really strong field of drivers. We look forward to seeing what Leonardo can do behind the wheel of the Jaguar I-TYPE 7 as he showcases his skillset in Formula E for the first time.' Also Read: Season 11 Berlin Rookie Test: Formula E teams announce nominations, eligibility rules explained The Berlin Rookie Test gives the rookies an opportunity to show their talent in the Formula E cars and get a chance to gain a seat in the team in future. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Telegraph
30-06-2025
- Automotive
- Telegraph
‘This is horrendous, why am I doing it?' – How it really feels to compete in a 24-hour race
This weekend marks the end of a brutal 24-hour triple-header in which the Spa 24 Hours was contested through the hills of the Ardennes Forest. Only a handful of drivers competed in all three races, a freakish hat-trick of endurance events, coming straight off the back of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Nurburgring 24 Hours. Daniel Juncadella, the current European Le Mans Series championship leader, is one of those drivers who will return to European Le Mans Series duty at Imola next week, making it four races in as many weekends. The Spaniard will team up with Jamie Chadwick, the British female driver, for IDEC Sport in what is the first full endurance campaign of her career. 'This is incredibly special,' Chadwick tells Telegraph Sport of her first experience of Le Mans. The 27-year-old has been to the Circuit de la Sarthe once before, but never as a driver until this year's event. She does so having won both ELMS rounds this season alongside Juncadella and Mathys Jaubert, becoming the first female driver to win in the series at Barcelona, then doing so again at Le Castellet. For Chadwick, Le Mans was a baptism of fire, but she was in safe hands. With Juncadella driving for another team, IDEC drafted in three-time Le Mans winner André Lotterer, the vastly experienced German who will lead the Genesis Magma Racing Hypercar operation next season when they make their top-class debut. Over the course of 11 brutally long and draining days, Chadwick learnt what it took to be a Le Mans driver, and Telegraph Sport was at the heart of the operation to witness it first hand. Thursday, June 5: And they're off... to a campsite! Chadwick makes the long drive down to Le Mans a full nine days before the race is due to begin, staying at a motorhome in one of the many campsites around the circuit. Some drivers will stay in trucks directly behind the pits while others have more luxurious accommodation within huge hospitality units built for the race. Chadwick is getting the full experience as she pitches up in one of the fields behind the paddock. 'When I first saw the schedule, I thought I couldn't quite work out why I needed to be there on Thursday and why everything was so spread out,' says Chadwick. 'And then when you arrive, you realise why it's so spread out, because you actually have so much on.' Friday, June 6: Walking the walk Chadwick's first experience of the track is not quite what you would expect. The team head out together to walk the circuit, all 8.4 miles of it — although they do cheat with shuttles run along the 3.7-mile Mulsanne Straight between each chicane. The majority of the circuit covers public roads that are difficult to access outside of sessions, so Chadwick gets a second look later in the week by bike. Saturday, June 7: Scrutineering The first big event on the Le Mans schedule is scrutineering, where cars are thoroughly checked over by organiser Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) to check that they comply with technical regulations. Rather than stage scrutineering in the paddock, the ACO takes Le Mans to the heart of the nearby town at Place de la Republique – an event that takes two days to complete. It allows fans to get up close to the cars and Chadwick's No 18 IDEC Sport LMP2 Oreca is the third-last car to take the stand. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jamie Chadwick (@jamiechadwick) 'The official scrutineering is a big part of the week and a very cool part of it when you get to first start seeing the fans and how the weekend's potentially going to feel as a whole,' says Chadwick. 'The cars are in town for a good three or four hours. And then in between all of this, when you're at the track, you're doing driver-change practice, different meetings with the engineers. There's also time that you spend where, worst-case scenario, something goes wrong on track, you actually have to potentially be responsible for trying to fix it, say, if you have an engine issue or something like that. We hope for the best that it's not going to happen. But in case it does, you have to be prepped for where the toolbox is in the car and what to do.' Sunday. June 8: 'It feels incredible': Action finally under way Three days after arriving, Chadwick finally gets to experience Le Mans. The Sunday test session gives drivers six hours of track action to get to grips with the car and circuit. 'I can't quite describe the feeling but you go on to the Mulsanne Straight for the first time and something within you just feels like 'wow, this is incredibly special'. A track that you always want to feel and drive, and then you quite quickly transition into how can I go quicker and improve? 'It was a really cool feeling. It's a track that you have to build up to as it's not easy. Once you get to learn it and know it, you feel more comfortable. Our team boss, Nicolas Minassian, kept saying don't let the fact it's Le Mans take away from the fact you're just going out and driving a race on a race track, which is very good advice, but at the same time, it is Le Mans and it has this feeling. You go through the first sector, you get on to the Mulsanne for the first time. And there's definitely something unique about that.' Monday, June 9: Promotional work keeps teams busy With no further track action until Wednesday scheduled, Chadwick would be forgiven for expecting a few days to take stock and prepare for the busy part of the week. That is not the case. The team embark on several media and commercial commitments that come with racing at Le Mans. As one of the French-based teams, IDEC are busier than most, regardless of competing in the LMP2 category, and the planned move to Hypercar for Genesis Magma Racing means a larger-than-normal amount of promotional work to undertake. Tuesday, June 10: Escape to the chateau Tuesday is the quietest day of the week but it is also the most important given the drivers' briefing takes place for all 186 drivers. Crucial information is given to the field that will determine how the race will be regulated and how they can avoid the pitfalls of time and drive-through penalties. Evidently some are not listening as closely as others, given the litany of penalties dished out during the 24 Hours. The evening brings a team-bonding barbecue with Chadwick, Lotterer and Jaubert joining the IDEC team staff and mechanics at a nearby chateau, where they are staying, for a courtyard meal in glorious sunshine. Wednesday, June 11: Qualifying quandary The first free practice gets under way on Wednesday afternoon, giving teams just one opportunity to fine-tune set-ups ahead of three qualifying sessions. IDEC manage an impressive 40 laps across the three-hour session as Jaubert puts the No 18 car in sixth, just in front of the sister No 28 car. Next up is qualifying, and it's bad news for IDEC as they fail to make it into the top 12 – who make it through to Thursday's Hyperpole sessions – meaning they will start the race from 14th. Second practice follows, giving Chadwick her first experience at night and something unusual catches her attention: the smell of barbecues. Having not yet driven Le Mans with fans camping, she describes a 'sensory overload' after coming through the Porsche Curves for the first time, fearing something may be burning inside the car. 'It was unbelievable. I've never had such a strong, overwhelming experience, all my senses were all over the place,' she explains. 'You know, it's dark, you're tired, you're just trying to visualise everything as much as you can, and then you get this really strong smell of barbecues. 'And it's like sensory overload in some ways. But it did make me laugh, because André was a wealth of information for the whole week and gave loads of advice. But things like taking the Porsche Curves flat out, he was very nonchalant about that – 'You just do it, you just take it flat'. There was not loads of information with that. But then when it came to the barbecues and the smell, that was one of the most detailed things he was specific about! 'That's the fastest section of the track, so your eyes are on stalks anyway, and then you just get this overwhelming smell of someone cooking sausages on the barbecue, which is hilarious.' Second practice confirms the team are struggling for outright pace. Chadwick sets the team's best time but it is only enough for 16th of the 17 LMP2 runners. Thursday, June 12: Driving in the dark Thursday again features two practice sessions and although the first finishes in similar fashion to Wednesday's night's free practice, the evening session brings good news as Chadwick puts the No 18 into the top 10 during the night. Her quicker pace in the dark is something that becomes more prominent as the week progresses. 'We were looking at the run plan, and the schedule, and they said, 'Do you want to do more at night, or do you want to do more in the day?' Basically, where did I feel most comfortable doing the most laps? 'Complete darkness in the middle of the night almost felt more comfortable to me than some of the variables that you get, for example, at sunset or sunrise, when you've got the sun in your eyes. And there's a lot of bugs in the air at the weekend for some reason. So visibility was tough and actually it made different parts of the race trickier than what you would expect to be the hardest part, which is complete darkness.' Friday, June 13: Parade day With no running scheduled on Friday, drivers can try and rest ahead of the gruelling weekend ahead. But there's the small matter of the drivers' parade to attend in town, a four-hour event during which teams parade through Le Mans on streets lined by thousands of fans – and this year it occurs in intense heat as temperatures reach 32 Celsius. 'Friday is kind of the day you would want to have off, but ends up being the parade day, which takes up a good chunk of the day,' says Chadwick. 'It's an incredible experience but it's a long part of the day. It really brings it all to life and it's a huge part of the weekend.' Chadwick doesn't get back to the track until nearly 8pm, where she completes more media interviews in the Genesis Magma Racing suite before heading for dinner, and unveils her new helmet that has been designed by one young member of the Exxon Mobil 1 Teen Engineering and Tech Centre. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jamie Chadwick (@jamiechadwick) It's also a busy day for the team, as Genesis unveil plans for their Hypercar debut in 2026 that will be led by former F1 team principal Cyril Abiteboul and ex-tour-car specialist Giovanni Tarquini. Saturday, June 14: Race day Racing begins at midday with warm-up, but with only 15 minutes on the clock, the team turn to experienced hand Lotterer to check everything is as planned. Second place on the timesheets confirms the car is in good shape, as attention turns towards the start of the race and the near-three-hour build-up to the flag. Chadwick drives the car to the grid at exactly 1.10pm local time, two hours and 50 minutes before the race begins. She will not be the first in the car though – the honour of taking the start goes to Lotterer – so the main task is to keep energy expenditure and emotions in balance to avoid burning out early. That's easier said than done, however, when honorary starter Roger Federer, the 20-time tennis grand-slam champion, stops by the No 18 car to say hello on the grid. Lotterer makes steady progress on his triple stint – staying in the car on the same tyres for three pit cycles – before handing over to Chadwick inside the top 10. Chadwick jumps into the car at 5:46pm, although she has been on standby in the pits since 4:46pm in case Lotterer needs to change early. As the sun sets, Chadwick finds a groove and maintains a strong pace to remain in the hunt for the top 10, so much so that the team ask her whether she wants to stay in the car longer than planned. 'My engineer kept asking me, 'Are you good to do a quadruple?'. They asked that for two reasons: one is are the tyres good at that point? I don't think anyone had done a quadruple in the race yet. And then: two, physically, do you feel OK? And I felt fine physically, and with the tyres, it felt fine as well. So I was like, yeah, all good to go. 'It's one of those things that once you're in the car, it's almost easier because you're already warmed up, you're dialled in. It's a little bit tricky as I hadn't actually fuelled quite enough to be in the car for three hours, but you kind of deal with it, and you get on with it. It's almost harder if you're getting in and out the car constantly for single and double stints, because you have less time to rest. You finally switch off, and then you've got to get back in the car again. So I actually quite liked doing the quadruple stint.' Sunday, June 15: Double disaster Chadwick hands the car over to Jaubert for his first taste of Le Mans at 8.40pm and heads for dinner to unwind before retreating to her motorhome for a rest. 'My boyfriend, who has done 24-hour races before, said to me – because I was packing my bag on the morning of the race, and I was packing my pyjamas, my sleep mask, my pillow, I was getting everything ready to be nice and comfortable – he said, 'don't get too comfortable because when you get woken up you are going to not want to get out of bed. If you feel super comfortable, it's going to be horrible, just be a bit uncomfortable for 24 hours'. 'So the first stint of sleep I got, I didn't get too comfortable. I stayed in team kit and I slept, woke up, and I was absolutely fine. And then the second stint, I was like, 'right, OK, I'm going to get comfortable here. I'm going to have a proper night's sleep'. It was the hardest wake-up I've ever had. I did not want to get up. I was like, 'Oh, this is horrendous. Why am I doing this?' 'I had a good five minutes of being like, this is awful. And then you get on with it.' Chadwick also wakes up in the middle of an almighty fireworks display outside the paddock. 'It didn't actually wake me up, believe it or not, but I was walking to the car, so I had just woken up, basically. And then that's another sensory overload. That was enough to wake me up properly!' She's back in the garage at half past midnight, on standby once more, before taking over from Lotterer at 1:33am. Le Mans knows how to do fireworks… — Jack de Menezes (@JackdeMenezes) June 14, 2025 The night had been kind to IDEC, not only does Lotterer pit from third position, but they do so right behind the sister No 28 in second place, with a potential double-podium on the cards. Neither car has had the outright pace to challenge the LMP2 frontrunners, the No 43 Inter Europol Competition and No 199 AO by TF Sport entries, but they are one of very few cars to have reached the halfway point without a single penalty or issue, proving consistency is key when it comes to endurance racing. Chadwick hands the car over to Jaubert at 3:39am and heads to bed. Although Jaubert is in for a quadruple stint, it will not be long until she's back in the car as Lotterer will only double stint in the early hours, or so we think… Jaubert can only triple-stint before handing over to Lotterer. But as Chadwick wakes up and orders a coffee in the IDEC hospitality suite, disaster strikes. The right-rear wheel comes off at 4:39am after 206 laps, breaking the driveshaft in the process and ending any hope of getting the car back to the pits. Lotterer was at the wheel on his out-lap when the failure occurred on the Mulsanne Straight, a frightening section of the track for such a drama to happen. Cruelly, the same fate then strikes the sister No 28 car at 11:30am, nearly 20 hours and 308 laps into the race when the right-rear wheel also comes off on Job van Uitert's out-lap. From double-podium to double-retirement in the space of seven hours. 💔Another blow for @IDECSportRacing — this time it's the #28 with Van Uitert at the wheel, losing the right rear wheel. Any hope of a podium in LMP2 category is now gone. #LeMans24 #WEC #ELMS — 24 Hours of Le Mans (@24hoursoflemans) June 15, 2025 Back in the garage there are tears, and lots of them. Mechanics console each other as emotions and exhaustion get the better of them. Chadwick was watching the nightmare unfold on television. 'I was exhausted, because the adrenaline had come off, and at that point, you've really just had an hour of sleep,' says Chadwick, shortly before the demise of the No 28 car. 'So actually, I would have probably slept more throughout that day had we stayed in the race, because you focus on in the car, out the car, in the car, out the car – and when you're out the car, you're sleeping.' The dream, for this year at least, dies with the double DNF, and by midday Chadwick is on the road and heading for home, four hours before the race is due to finish. But she fully intends on being back. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jamie Chadwick (@jamiechadwick) 'It could have been a lot worse. Fortunately, no big issues with it in the grand scheme of things. But obviously, in terms of the result, not great,' admits Chadwick. 'There's always next year, at least. So hopefully better fortunes to come.'
