Jamie Chadwick is aiming to prove Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali wrong by setting a five-year goal to reach the grid.
Earlier this year, the Italian caused a stir when he compared the chances of a female racing driver reaching F1 over the next five years to a “meteorite”.
As the only winner of the all-female W Series championship, Chadwick, who is also a development driver for Williams, is seen as the most realistic prospect to become the first woman to race in F1 since Lella Lombardi in 1976.
And responding to Domenicali’s comments, the 24-year-old admits it only makes her more determined to achieve her goal.
“It doesn’t really bother me,” she said, quoted by The Independent. “It motivates me if nothing else.
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“I know that if I have success in the right feeder series then I will be in Formula 1. My goal is definitely to try and make it within five years.
“There is a lot I need to achieve in that time, but I want to go through the correct feeder series, and have success in those championships to be in Formula 1.
“I need to lean on the people that do believe in it, and really do see it as possible, and surround myself with those voices.”
After dominating W Series, Chadwick has now joined the Andretti outfit in the rebranded Indy NXT for 2023, the feeder series for IndyCar.
Success there could potentially pave a way ultimately to F1 should Andretti eventually be successful in entering the sport in the next few years.
However, the Briton admits there have been no talks about a future move.
“The ultimate goal is F1, however, not with them,” she told PlanetF1.
“My focus is purely on the Indy Lights [NXT] stuff, but it’s a hugely impressive organisation and a team I’m really proud to be in now.
“I learned a lot in all three years [in W Series],” Chadwick added. “They’re very different. Just being able to keep learning and I think now to have the opportunity to move up, I’m grateful for those years of learning in W Series.
“I think it’s going to be a big challenge going forwards but I’m excited by what’s to come.”