Chadwick hails ‘incredible’ maiden IndyCar test

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Williams development driver Jamie Chadwick was all smiles after her first IndyCar, the Briton describing her day at Barber Motorsports Park with Andretti Global as nothing short of “incredible”.

For Chadwick, a three-time W Series champion who competes for Andretti in Indy NXT, 87 laps at speed around Barber meant more than just ticking off a career milestone.

Bursting with energy and ambition, the 26-year-old expressed her burning desire to not just compete but truly make her mark in IndyCar.

“It was just an incredible day,” Chadwick told RACER. “I think just having the opportunity to drive the IndyCar, aside from getting wrapped up in performance and all that kind of stuff, is just very, very cool.

“I don’t want to just make up the numbers in IndyCar. It’s going to take me time, but I want to be there, because I deserve to be there. And I can be competitive.

“And from the test, I know I can be competitive, but only if I’ve got everything going for me, every bit of strength. So working out that bit is going to be the next step.”

©X/Andretti

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.