An exciting new opportunity for W Series ace Jamie Chadwick has emerged in the United States, F1 Feeder Series has learned, as the British driver is scheduled to test with one of the most successful Indy Lights teams in recent history next month.

By Jeroen Demmendaal

Multiple sources told F1 Feeder Series in the last few days that Chadwick, a five-time race winner in W Series this season, will test an Indy Lights car with Andretti Autosport after the season ends at Laguna Seca on September 11.

Two sources confirmed independently that a seat fitting for the 24-year-old is planned in the week after the series finale in California, while the test itself is scheduled to take place at the Sebring road course in Florida.

Reached by F1 Feeder Series, a spokesperson for Chadwick said: “We can confirm Jamie will be participating in an Indy Lights test with Andretti Autosport this September as she continues to explore a number of driving options for next season. More news will follow in the coming weeks.”

A spokesperson for Andretti Autosport added: “We are very excited to be able to extend this opportunity to Jamie and look forward to seeing her in one of our Indy Lights cars soon.”

Eager to move up

Chadwick told F1 Feeder Series already in July that Indy Lights was among the opportunities she’s exploring, as she’s eager to move up from W Series after a move to FIA Formula 3 fell through last winter. Chadwick is on course to secure her third W Series title later this year, on the back of those five wins.

If she does decide to make the switch to Indy Lights, Andretti Autosport would be an excellent choice for Chadwick. The team, owned by former IndyCar champion and Formula 1 driver Michael Andretti, is one of the most prolific Indy Lights teams in recent years.

Andretti Autosport won three drivers’ championships in the last three seasons, propelling Patricio O’Ward, Oliver Askew and Kyle Kirkwood to the title in 2018, 2019 and 2021 respectively. It also won the teams’ championship in 2018 and 2019, underlining its engineering strength.

This season, Andretti Autosport has fielded Matthew Brabham, Hunter McElrea, Christian Rasmussen and Sting Ray Robb in Indy Lights. F1 Feeder Series has understood that as many as three names in that line-up may not return in 2023 and be replaced by other drivers.

Boosting diversity

An Indy Lights move by Chadwick would also fit well with the diversity push made by Indy Lights, its organising body INDYCAR and series owner Penske Entertainment in recent years.

One example is the establishment of the Force Indy racing team, which seeks to promote a more diverse talent pool in motorsport. Force Indy has provided a valuable Indy Lights opportunity for Haitian-American driver Ernie Francis Jr this year, while it also supports Myles Rowe in USF2000.

With those efforts in mind, Andretti Autosport can likely count on the full support of INDYCAR as it aims to bring Chadwick to the United States. Such a move would both boost diversity within the series, as well as raising Indy Lights’ international profile even further.