It was a standout weekend for British drivers in North America. Lando Norris, George Russell and Sir Lewis Hamilton made it three Brits in the Canadian Grand Prix top four… but history-making Jamie Chadwick went one better in Wisconsin, US. 

At the challenging Road America circuit, the three-time W Series champion became the first woman to win on a road course in Indy NXT, the feeder series for the premier NTT IndyCar Series. It was a thoroughly deserved and well-earned victory for the Andretti Global driver, too. 

Chadwick, who scored her first Indy NXT podium at Indianapolis last month, started from pole position and led from lights to chequered flag overcoming two safety car interventions and then a red flag restart with just two laps remaining.  

Adding to British celebrations Motorsport UK Academy Team UK member Louis Foster finished second to close the gap on American series leader Jacob Abel who battled home third. 

“Massive congratulations to Jamie,” Foster said. “She’s done an amazing job. She was the woman to beat this weekend. Really, really fast.” 

Chadwick, who had already rewritten the history books on Saturday when becoming the first woman to claim a pole position on a road or street course in INDY NXT history was understandably thrilled and relieved at her breakthrough achievement. 

“I have no words,” she said. “Honestly, I’m a bit emotional. We’ve had an unbelievable car this year and just haven’t been able to do anything about it. I’m just so happy we held on there. 

“With the red flag at the end, I was like ‘oh, come on’. Louis had a look and I just knew I had to be aggressive. I know they have a championship to worry about and I just had to get my head down. I really wanted to win today.” 

Back in the UK, another female role model was back on the podium, too. Having made her own bit of history when winning a reverse grid ROKiT F4 British Championship race at Brands Hatch, Abbi Pulling confirmed her competitiveness with a fine second place at superfast Thruxton – this time in the opening race with starting positions based on fastest qualifying laps. 

Both women will be back in action in less than two weeks’ time. Chadwick will be racing at Laguna Seca, Monterey, California while Pulling will be hoping to extend her F1 Academy championship lead on the Spanish GP bill at Barcelona.