Jenner Racing is the first team to announce its full line-up, with American Chloe Chambers set to join two-time champion Jamie Chadwick for the upcoming W Series campaign
Caitlyn Jenner's newly-founded Jenner Racing was the first team to be announced for the 2022 W Series season and, having signed series superstar and reigning champion Jamie Chadwick, it now is the first team to complete its drivers' line up.
It will be in fact 17-year-old Chloe Chambers to race alongside Chadwick, as the American driver will fly the flag of the American team.
“I’m delighted to be able to confirm the Jenner Racing Team’s formidable driver line-up for the 2022 W Series season" - announced Olympic gold medalist, former racing driver and TV personality Caitlyn Jenner. "As a two-time W Series champion, Jamie Chadwick needs no introduction, and she will be joined by Chloe Chambers – one of the most promising female racing talents in the world. In the short time we have already spent working together, I have been blown away by both drivers’ professionalism, skill, determination, and calmness under pressure.
Chambers, a Guinness World Record holder, was selected after a two-stage selection by the first all-female single seater championship, which saw 15 potential new candidates gathering at Inde Motorsports Ranch, Arizona, in March.
With previous experience of the US-spec F4 car that she had raced in the US F4 Championship in 2021, Chambers impressed the series organization and advanced to the Barcelona collective test, where she went against other qualified and returning drivers.
The teenager from Hudson Valley, New York, had claimed a top-10 finish in the F4 US series, had a test day in a Formula 3 Regional car, as well as made her endurance debut in the World Racing League championship alongside fellow female racing star Pippa Mann.
Chloe started racing in karting aged eight and went on to win multiple national titles before moving up to single seaters last year. A rising star in motor racing, Chambers has also appeared on the US television program 'America's Got Talent: Extreme', where she challenged TV personality Simon Cowell in a slalom competition.
“Since W Series first launched, it has been a focus of mine to participate in a W Series test and be selected" – said Chambers. "To achieve this and be getting ready to make my W Series debut for the Jenner Racing Team at Formula 1’s Miami Grand Prix in May, is super thrilling and an honor."
"It has been a whirlwind few months, the pre-season tests have gone well, the support I’ve had from everyone at W Series has been incredible, and I’m ready to seize this fantastic opportunity and go further."
Chambers will have a big task as Jamie Chadwick's teammate, but she will have the opportunity to learn in a very competitive environment and with support from an enthusiastic Team Principal.
“Jamie Chadwick sets a benchmark both in and outside of the car with her professional approach, and she is someone I’ve looked up to for a long time" – Chloe commented. "Caitlyn Jenner is one of the greatest athletes of all time, so I can’t think of two better people to work with and learn from at this stage in my career."
"It is difficult to overcome the perceptions of being a female in motorsport, but that drives me to continue to learn and win, and it’s fantastic to have great people in my corner."
“Jamie is the best possible benchmark for Chloe who I know will keep the defending champion on her toes throughout the season", echoed Jenner.
"With all those attributes, plus the support they will get from me and the rest of the Jenner Racing Team, they have every chance of achieving success this year.”
W Series raced at six F1 venues in 2021 and will expand to a eight-event calendar in support of Formula 1. For the first time, the championship will host two race weekends in the US, with a third race meeting in Mexico and one in Japan – as a testament of the series' global expansion. The inaugural weekend will support the first ever Miami Grand Prix on the brand new street circuit.
“I remember watching F1 races with my dad when I was small, then I asked if I could try karting, and everything just clicked – it was the greatest feeling in the world" – explained Chambers. "I want to thank everyone who has helped me get to this point, but this is just the beginning. My dream is to compete in F1 and the Indy500, and this opportunity with W Series takes me a giant step closer towards realising it.”
Chambers is the third American to race in W Series, following Shea Holbrook (2019) and Sabré Cook (2019, 2021).
The remaining team pairings will be revealed in due course.
Opmerkingen