The W Series celebrations are on ice for Jamie Chadwick for now after the reigning champion crashed out of the Singapore Grand Prix with less than five minutes to go.The British driver had started in P8 and moved her way up to P6, but spent the majority of the 30 minutes stuck behind her compatriot Jess Hawkins.In the dying moments of the race, Chadwick attempted an overtake but lost control of the Jenner Racing car and planted into the wall.The champion safely left the car, but for Chadwick, it will be a hugely disappointing afternoon in Singapore.Fellow title challenger Beitske Visser earned a huge win, with Alice Powell finishing second and Marta GarcÃa in third to complete the podium.
What happened in Singapore?
Extremely rainy conditions saw a big shake up in qualifying as Marta GarcÃa earned her first pole position since 2019. She was joined Visser on the front row, with Powell and fellow Spaniard Belén GarcÃa behind her.
Chadwick came eighth in qualifying but was able to fight her way up two places after a positive start. However, the reigning champion struggled for opportunities to overtake throughout the race and was unable to pass Hawkins to break into the top five.
SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE - OCTOBER 02: Beitske Visser of Netherlands and Sirin Racing (95) leads Marta Garcia of Spain and CortDAO W Series Team (19) during the W Series Round 6 race at Marina Bay Street Circuit on October 02, 2022 in Singapore, Singapore. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
With just a little more than three minutes left on the clock, Chadwick attempted a last gasp manoeuvre to get round Hawkins and crack P5.
The season leader misjudged her overtake and was unable to take control fast enough, resulting in her veering off the track and hitting the wall.
Watch: Jamie Chadwick out of Singapore Grand Prix after late crash
Visser's launch allowed her to inch ahead of Marta GarcÃa and hold the lead for the entirety of the race. The Sirin Racing star was Chadwick's closest competitor during the 2019 W Series season and now she has forced the Brit to wait a little longer to claim a third title.
Powell, who pushed Chadwick right to the wire last season, has also earned an important P2 finish in her mission to chase down the reigning champion.
The Bristol Street Motors driver piled the pressure on Visser, giving fans flashbacks to 2019 when the two were constantly battling each other up at the sharp end of the drivers' standings alongside Chadwick.
But a perfect drive from Visser came with the ultimate reward — her third podium of the season and first win since 2019.
SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE - OCTOBER 02: Race winner Beitske Visser of Netherlands and Sirin Racing (95) celebrates on the podium during the W Series Round 6 race at Marina Bay Street Circuit on October 02, 2022 in Singapore, Singapore. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
What does this mean for Jamie Chadwick?
Two-time reigning champion Chadwick just needed to win at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in order to wrap up her third title. But now she will have to wait for her next opportunity at the Circuit of the Americas.
Visser, who was Chadwick's closest title rival alongside Powell heading into Singapore, has closed the gap with her important win.
SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE - OCTOBER 02: Race winner Beitske Visser of Netherlands and Sirin Racing (C), Second placed Alice Powell of Great Britain and Click2Drive Bristol Street Motors Racing (L) and Third placed Marta Garcia of Spain and CortDAO W Series Team (R) celebrate on the podium during the W Series Round 6 race at Marina Bay Street Circuit on October 02, 2022 in Singapore, Singapore. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
As it stands, 50 points stand between the Dutch driver and W Series' only champion. It is certainly still a huge margin to be heading into the final three races with, but Singapore has shown anything can happen in motorsport.
The eighth round of W Series will be a return to COTA in Austin, Texas on October 22nd.
Chadwick has a little under three weeks now to reflect on her error in Singapore and return to the track fighting.