Racing driver Jamie Chadwick is keen to bring 'a different type of perspective' to Sky Sports' Formula One coverage as the team's newest pundit ahead of the 2025 season.  

Chadwick will join seasoned female pundits such as Natalie Pinkham, former W Series driver Naomi Schiff, and performance engineer and race strategist Bernie Collins, as well as broadcasting greats such as Martin Brundle and David Croft. But in an intriguing twist, Chadwick is set to balance her broadcasting commitments alongside her racing career, with the two-time W Series champion competing in the European Le Mans Series as part of IDEC Sport. 

The 26-year-old has competed across a multitude of formats, including Formula E, Formula Three and Indy NXT, as well as serving as Williams development and then racing driver in addition to acting as a mentor for the team's F1 Academy star Lia Block. 

'It's nice to have experience, not in Formula One, but in racing, and it's more possible to relate to certain situations,' Chadwick told Mail Sport. 'I think you see things slightly different to people watching, who have never driven a race car before. 

'I've been fortunate enough to be behind the scenes with Williams over the last few years, and it's great to have that different inside intel - and from a personal point of view, it's exciting to delve deeper into the F1 world and unpack it as much as possible. 

'When you're involved in a team like Sky, you're really in the mix of with a lot of experts, and you're learning so much. From a personal point of view, I've always been on the other side (as a driver) so it's really cool to experience that from the opposing position.'  

Chadwick also hopes that taking up the role further boosts the visibility of women involved in the sport. As popularity has surged in the wake of Netflix's immensely successful Drive To Survive series, so has the female engagement in Formula One, and the driver is keen to see this translate into an uptick in participation.  

'I hope that anyone who switches on the TV screen and sees female pundits - they see female mechanics, engineers, and drivers hopefully in the future.

'I think now the key is going to be trying to transition that female fan base into actual female participation - actually being involved in the sport across the board. 

'And I really don't think that's going to take too long, given how quickly we've seen the the fan base change, but it's fantastic for the sport. You know, you turn up to races now and you see so many different people watching and enjoying our sport.'

Initiatives like the F1 Academy, which seeks to promote young female talent and has created recognisable stars such as Abbi Pulling and Bianca Bustamante, is another success that has the potential to 'act as a springboard for the next generation.' 

Diversity within the paddock is also ripe for development, with Haas driver Esteban Ocon the first driver in history to be working with a female race engineer -  Laura Mueller - this season. 

'It's a shame it's taken so long to be honest,' Chadwick admits of Mueller's addition to the team. 'Because that's definitely something we should see more of. 

'(But) I think female strategists and engineers are becoming more and more popular, which is fantastic. What we will see then is the culture start to change. Because at the moment, the teams are probably still 90 per cent men, 10 per cent women as such. 

'If we can start to change that, and it's 50-50, the paddock will become more diverse, but also there'll be more opportunity for women to see it and think, "okay, that's an environment I want to work in, and it doesn't seem male dominated," and it's not seen as male dominated anymore.'

As an ambassador for Williams alongside her new colleague Jenson Button, Chadwick has also had an up-close look at the British constructor's preparations ahead of launching their new driver line-up in Melbourne. 

Williams were the winners in the race for former Ferrari star Carlos Sainz's signature after he was unseated in Italy by Lewis Hamilton, and his presence in their colours on the grid is a formidable prospect for the chasing pack. 

'I think Carlos coming in is a huge moment for the team,' Chadwick adds. 'I think it's going to really put them in a position with one of the strongest lineups on the grid, to be honest. 

'I think the midfield now, or where they have been the last few years, it's so close. So really, a driver can make the difference to elevate the team and take them in the right direction. So it's hugely exciting. I know everyone within the team is hugely motivated and has a very good feeling about the year ahead.'

Williams is just one constructor breathing down the necks of the sport's big beasts, with Chadwick predicting that 'four or five drivers' could be in contention to knock four-time world champion Max Verstappen from the F1 summit. 

'I think it's going to be one of the toughest years in general because we're now at the end of a regulation change, so all the teams have really maximised what they have,' Chadwick continues. 'Some teams will have put more focus into this year than others. 

'That said, I think if anyone's going to be able to maximise any car, it's going to him - Max has got it in him to take the fight to anyone.'

Even new Ferrari man Hamilton, gunning for an unprecedent eighth world championship title? 

'Ferrari are looking strong,' Chadwick noted ahead of the 'very iconic' pairing's race debut in Melbourne. 'I think they put a lot of effort and energy into this year's car. 

'It's going to be great to see him in red, hopefully fighting for victories, maybe a championship. 

'I think there's a lot to be excited about. We're seeing the sport at its best. It's hugely competitive. No driver can make a mistake. The season is so long now, so tough on the drivers, tough on the teams. 

'And we love seeing that - we love seeing every team and driver taken to their limits. It's going to be super exciting, both as a fan, and having the opportunity to comment on it.'