Williams Academy driver Jamie Chadwick maintains a promotion to IndyAutomobile is a “realistic possibility” after completing his maiden test with the Andretti Global team.
Logging 87 laps within the fog, Chadwick – who finished seventh within the Indy NXT standings this 12 months – spoke positively about her overall first impression of the machines, but admitted that she found the experience more physical than expected.
“From a personal point of view, it went quite well,” she told Motorsport.com. “I used to be a bit of disenchanted to seek out that the steering effort was as great because it was then, but I believe I knew that may potentially be the case during testing at Barber, which I felt was the worst-case scenario.
“But at the identical time, it's very positive to know what I would like to work on on this regard.
“But everything else, in terms of working with the team, settling into the car and understanding IndyCar better, I was really happy with how everything went.”
She added: “I expected it to be hard and heavy, but it surely was also heavier than I expected. Of course I prepared as best I could, but now knowing exactly what it takes, I actually just should work to get to that level.
“In that sense, no stone could be left unturned. The idea is to turn out to be as strong as possible. “
After two seasons competing within the Feeder category, Chadwick made no secret of her desire to maneuver as much as IndyAutomobile.
However, with seats remaining limited, it’s open to a possible need to go away Andretti's stable because the team has an entire three-driver lineup of Colton Herta, Kyle Kirkwood and Marcus Ericsson for 2025.
While he's “not completely” ruling out a 3rd Indy NXT campaign, Chadwick said: “I believe it's a sensible possibility, but that's all that's possible at this stage. IndyAutomobile could be very difficult in the meanwhile because there are so few seats available.
“Of course, there are loads of things to it. I even have been with Andretti for the last two years, I even have tested with Andretti, I really need to have every opportunity to remain on this family and this environment. I believe they’ve played an enormous role in helping me develop and take me to the subsequent level, but obviously they’ve three seats and three drivers.
“I believe realistically this can be a huge opportunity to see if we will make something occur. But I won't lie, IndyAutomobile is totally my goal and the goal I would like to succeed in.
“I don't know when it will be or what it will look like, but it remains very much my goal, and especially after testing, I'm focused on where I want to go.”
