Jamie Chadwick, one of the world's most decorated female racing drivers, has described testing a **Formula 1** car as the highlight of her motorsport career. Chadwick took part in 32 laps at the Portimao circuit in Portugal, which will be on the **Formula 1** calendar in 2027. The 28-year-old first joined **Formula 1** team Williams in 2019 as a development driver and has gone on to win all three seasons of the all-female **W Series**, as well as being the first female driver to win a road race in **IndyCar**'s feeder series. She told **BBC Sport** that testing an **Formula 1** car was "definitely the top" of her bucket list, describing the experience as "pretty surreal" and "everything I imagined, but more." Chadwick practiced in a simulator beforehand and participated in a detailed programme of gym work, including neck strengthening sessions with some of the drivers on the **Formula 1** grid. She noted that the level of strength required in the neck was "huge," and described the G-force and feeling on her neck as "incredible." She said she "woke up the next morning like you've been in a fight with Mike Tyson," but added that the experience was "an incredible feeling." There are now 13 women who have driven an **Formula 1** car. Five of those have officially entered a **Formula 1** Grand Prix weekend, and only two have gone on to actually take part in a race. Maria Teresa de Filippis made history as the first female **Formula 1** driver in 1958 when she took part in the Belgium Grand Prix, finishing 10th. The next woman in an **Formula 1** car did not appear until 15 years later. Lella Lombardi took part in a record 17 grands prix, including the Spanish GP in 1975, where she finished sixth, becoming the first and so far only woman to score points. In 2014, Susie Wolff made the first female appearance in an official **Formula 1** session for more than two decades, when she drove a Williams car at the British Grand Prix. Wolff, who is now the managing director of the all-female series **F1 Academy**, has been instrumental in helping more females get into the sport and was one of the "inspirations" behind Chadwick wanting to drive an **Formula 1** car. Chadwick is not the only woman to have driven an **Formula 1** car this year. Doriane Pin, who won the **F1 Academy** title in 2025, became the first female to drive a Mercedes in April. However, no woman has started an **Formula 1** race since Lombardi, 50 years ago. Chadwick believed that women are "capable of competing in **Formula 1**," but that there "shouldn't be a timeline on it." She said she "definitely believe the talent is out there," and added that she was "excited" about the progress being made. Chadwick acknowledged the difficulty of breaking into **Formula 1**, noting that there are only 22 seats available, making it extremely tough for any driver to secure a spot. She said that even **F2** and **F3** champions often struggle to get seats, and for female drivers, the challenge is even greater. However, she expressed confidence that the current efforts to support female talent in motorsport would lead to a "positive direction."