Jamie Chadwick, 28, became the first woman to complete laps in a Hypercar at the 24 Hours of Le Mans' Circuit de la Sarthe, taking part on Sunday to prepare for possible race duty the following weekend [1, 2]. She is currently reserve driver for Hyundai's Genesis Magma team in the top Hypercar class at the World Endurance Championship (WEC) [1, 2].
Chadwick took a handful of laps to familiarize herself with the car as potential substitute driver if needed at the start of the race [1, 2]. "Driving the Mulsanne Straight for the first time (in a Hypercar), these are the kind of things any racing driver dreams of," she said [2].
The three-time winner of the now-defunct all-female W Series views sportscar racing as her future career path after competing in the LMP2 category last year [1, 2]. Chadwick told Reuters she is "hungry to be in Hypercar at some point and transition from this role into a full time race driver seat," adding, "It definitely feels like where I want to find a home, where I want to find my career. And that is being a full-time Hypercar driver" [2].
This year, only two women are racing at Le Mans: F1 Academy champion Doriane Pin in LMP2 and Lilou Wadoux in the GT3 class, both French [1, 2]. Pin, who is on Peugeot's driver roster, said she is focusing on car development this season but hopes to race in the top category soon. "I want to race against the best in the world and hopefully it will be with them (Peugeot) and competing in the WEC and the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the best category," she said [2].
Wadoux drove Toyota's title-winning Hypercar during a 2022 rookie test, becoming the first woman in a top prototype since 2011 [1, 2].
Chadwick’s laps at Le Mans on June 4 prepared her to step in if a driver is unavailable on race day June 10 [1, 2]. She remains focused on securing a full-time Hypercar seat.