ByKanzah Maktoum
, Contributor.
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Jamie Chadwick has never been one to stay in one lane. From single-seaters to endurance racing, she’s built a career on adaptability, seizing every opportunity that’s come her way. Now, as she continues competing in the European Le Mans Series (ELMS), she’s stepping into a new role—this time behind the microphone for Sky Sports F1. Transitioning from driver to pundit isn’t always seamless, but for Chadwick, it’s another way to stay immersed in the world of racing, offering insight from a perspective few can match.
Chadwick never saw racing as an obvious career path growing up. With few management opportunities for female athletes and no direct ties to the industry, the idea of making it as a professional driver seemed distant. Yet, through initiatives like W Series, she found her place on the track.
"I think it was quite nice in a way, because it allowed for a lot of self-discovery," she said.
As her career took off, she was fortunate to have mentors guiding her through pivotal moments. But at its heart, racing was always about passion. "When I did get into it, I enjoyed it and saw it very much as something I did for fun, and something I was lucky enough to do for fun." That sense of enjoyment has remained a constant in her journey, even as her role in the sport evolves.
Now, in her transition to punditry, Chadwick is applying her experience as a driver to the broadcast world. She had dabbled in commentary over the past few years, but now she’s fully stepping into the role. "I think initially, you know when you’re racing as well, it’s not always the easiest role to kind of slot into," she admitted. "But I actually found I really enjoyed it, and I learned a lot sort of being able to follow the Formula One weekend so closely."
"Now I feel like I have a much bigger appreciation for the journalists and the broadcasters and the production teams that are all behind the scenes," she added.
Jamie Chadwick for Sky Sports F1
The transition hasn’t always been seamless. Learning to balance live broadcasting with the complexities of in-ear instructions is a skill in itself. "You have sort of different instructions, and obviously being on camera, then trying to make it look like you’re not reacting to what they’re saying to you in your ears," she explained.
Fortunately, she’s found support in her new environment. “They’ve [the Sky Sports Team] been incredibly welcoming… helped me make that transition across from being a driver into sort of more broadcasting role.”
But beyond just talking about the sport, this new role has also been a means of growing within it. “What I’m looking forward to is analyzing situations, I think from a personal point of view, kind of trying to learn as much about the sport from both a driving point of view, but also in Formula One,” said Chadwick.
Even as she immerses herself in broadcasting, Chadwick remains firmly committed to her racing ambitions. "Driving is my first and foremost priority," she said. "But at the same time, you know, I love the opportunity that I now have in the broadcasting world. I think this is going to be my first year doing as many races as I am. So, never say never, in terms of what opportunities could lie in the future."
Her presence in both racing and media reflects a larger shift in the sport–she joins the likes of Bernie Collins, Naomi Schiff, Danica Patrick, Natalie Pinkham and Rachel Brookes at Sky Sports. “The visibility of women in the sport is increasing massively,” said Chadwick. “If you turn on your screen now and you see that there are so many great female broadcasters now within the Sky Sports team especially, I think it really showcases what women are capable of in the sport, and I think that’s great in different roles as well.”
“I think it’s great to have that kind of diversity within our team, and hopefully encourages many more young women to look at our sport and realize, you know, something they can get involved with too,” she added.
For Chadwick, this shift into broadcasting isn’t just a side project—it’s another way to stay deeply connected to the sport, navigating a space that once felt out of reach. With her first full season as part of the Sky Sports F1 team underway, she’s embracing the challenge—translating years of on-track experience into analysis and commentary.
