Jamie Chadwick joins Prema Powerteam for Formula Regional campaign

2019 W Series champion Jamie Chadwick has been announced by Prema Powerteam as part of their 2020 lineup in the Formula Regional European Championship.

Photo credits: racers-behindthehelmet

British driver Jamie Chadwick was spotted in Mugello last week testing for Italian powerhouse team Prema and, after the cancellation of the 2020 W Series season, it was understood that she had elected Formula Regional European Championship as her main focus for her upcoming campaign.

Chadwick, who has also tested an Euroformula Open car last year and had her eyes on the Japanese Superformula Lights in order to combine two Formula 3 championships together with W Series before the COVID-19 crisis, she has now opted for the European-based Formula Regional championship, which employs the same Tatuus F3 cars used in the all-female W Series championship.

2019 was a groundbraking season for Chadwick, who won in convincing fashion the highly promoted W Series and was announced Williams F1 Development Driver. She was also the only junior single-seater driver to win two championships in 2019, as the 22-year old Brit had stormed the MRF Challenge Formula 2000 in the winter with six race victories.

“We are delighted to welcome Jamie to our Formula Regional European team for the upcoming season. She achieved brilliant results in her career so far, and we are looking forward to seeing her step up to this challenging international championship." - said Prema's Angelo Rosin.

"Coming from the W Series, she knows the machinery quite well and her experience will definitely be a valuable asset. We are absolutely committed and will give our 100 per cent to help her succeed."

The Italian squad dominated last year's inaugural edition of the F3 Regional European Championship, winning 16 races out of 24 and brought Danish ace Frederick Vesti to the title.

"I am absolutely elated to be teaming up with Prema Powerteam for the Formula Regional European Championship this year." - commented Jamie. "With such an amazing calendar, what looks to be a very competitive grid, and of course the support of the Prema team, I really cannot wait to get back racing in August."

The operation will be supported by New Zealander supercars manufacturer Rodin Cars, as Chadwick became brand ambassador and tested their single-seater FZED creation earlier in March.

"I am incredibly grateful to Rodin Cars and David Dicker for this life changing opportunity, and their support in the next chapter of my racing career. I’m so excited to start this journey with them and I hope we can enjoy mutual success together." - added Chadwick.

One of the highest-ranked female racing driver globally, Chadwick contested this winter the Formula 3 Asian championship - again on Tatuus F3 machinery - in preparation of the now scrapped 2020 W Series. She finished fourth in the standings and became the first woman to win a race in the championship.

Catherine Bond Muir, CEO of W Series commented the news on twitter: "Congratulations to Jamie on her Formula Regional seat. W Series’ aim has always been about creating a springboard to the upper tiers of motorsport, so I’m very proud of our reigning champion for adding more race experience to her tally and continuing on her exciting journey."

2020 Formula Regional European Championship is set to feature a really exciting grid and calendar, with possibly more female drivers' entries. The revised schedule includes 8 race weekends, starting from the Misano event at the end of July.

Formula Regional European Championship calendar

Misano, Italy - 31 July-2 August

Le Castellet, France - 21-23 August

Red Bull Ring, Austria - 11-13 September

Mugello, Italy - 2-4 October

Monza, Italy - 16-18 October

Barcelona, Spain - 30 October - 1 November

Imola, Italy - 20-22 November

Vallelunga, Italy - 4-6 December

Ph credits: Prema Powerteam / Twitter