Jamie Chadwick is enjoying a dream start to the 2022 W Series season after dominating the double-header opening weekend in Miami.The two-time champion started on the front row of the grid in both races and produced two solid drives to ensure she came away with maximum points.As the only ever winner of the Championship, Chadwick is no stranger to making motorsport history and last weekend, she became the first W Series driver to win in Miami.
Perfect start to a new era
Ahead of the 2022 season, W Series announced that former Olympic athlete and television personality Caitlyn Jenner would spearhead a brand new team. Enter Jenner Racing.
Chadwick was the first driver to join the new team, followed by American rookie Chloe Chambers.
With back-to-back victories, on Jenner Racing's home soil no less, the reigning champion is off to the best start imaginable.
"We [W Series] seem to be doing quite well in America and it's great that I'm now on an American team," Chadwick said. "It's nice to have that result for them [Jenner Racing] and their first weekend in the Championship.
"I'm glad I can give them the results they deserve and for them to put faith into me, I can repay them with two nice results this weekend."
The 23-year-old then paid homage to Jenner, who has gotten stuck straight into her new role.
"It’s been great, she’s been fully involved. It’s so funny watching her as we’ve all been getting in the cars, she’s been going to say good luck and speaking to everyone so she’s fully in the mix which is amazing to see.
"She’s been super supportive. I think she knows what works best for me and she’s just tried to support that and help me achieve what we have achieved this weekend."
The champion returns
Chadwick revealed she had "a lot more confidence" during the second race as opposed to the season opener — in which she started in P2 behind Nerea MartÃ.
She admitted she struggled with her general performance in the first race and found it hard to shake off Emma Kimiläinen, who kept the pressure on the Brit for the majority of the race.
The Finnish driver snatched the lead in the final minutes thanks to some great driving, but relinquished her position back to Chadwick after taking a corner wide on the final lap.
Race two was a more comfortable outing for Chadwick but despite the fact she has two early wins under her belt, she is fully aware of how unpredictable W Series can be.
"You always want to win, you always want to get the best results but it doesn't always work out that way. There's an example last year where it didn't at all," she said, referencing last year's opening race where she finished in P6 after a difficult run.
"It's gone better than expected, particularly as we haven't really been dominant with pace, there's been other very fast drivers throughout so I'm pleased we've been able to take points but it's not going to be easy going into the rest of the year."
The next W Series Grand Prix weekend will take place in Barcelona on May 21st.