W Series winner Chadwick moves closer to F1 test

Jamie Chadwick of Great Britain celebrates winning the W Series championship, 11 August 2019 - Reuters 

London (Reuters): Jamie Chadwick, winner of the inaugural all-female W Series, has moved closer to a Formula One test after being named as one of four finalists for Britain’s BRDC Young Driver of the Year award.

The eventual winner of the award, co-sponsored by the Red Bull F1 team’s title sponsors Aston Martin, will test a Formula One car as well as taking home a 200,000 pounds ($246,900) cash prize.

The four will now undertake fitness and simulator assessments before a two-day test at Silverstone in various machinery, including a Formula Two car. The winner will be announced in December.

Previous BRDC winners include 2009 Formula One world champion Jenson Button, 13-times race winner David Coulthard and current grand prix drivers Lando Norris and George Russell.

Chadwick, 21, is already an Aston Martin junior driver and has competed in endurance races for the British sports car manufacturer.

She earned $500,000 for winning the W Series in August. She also won the Indian-based MRF Challenge.

“I’ve never had a strong enough year to warrant a nomination until now. My season finished early so it’s been something I wanted,” said Chadwick.

The other finalists are 19-year-old Enaam Ahmed, who races in Japanese Formula Three, and 18-year-old British F3 frontrunners Johnathan Hoggard and Ayrton Simmons.