« It’s a very pleasant feeling », Jamie Chadwick seduced by her first laps at Le Mans

Before talking about the WEC and the ELMS, I would like us to go back to Indy NXT. What did you learn during these two seasons?

I learned quite a lot. It’s really a very competitive series. You also have to adapt to all these different tracks: there are road circuits, city circuits. It’s a bit old-school as a series. The level is very high, we’re just above the IndyCar Series.

Is it really different compared to the W Series?

Yes, it’s a step above. And in terms of the car, the performance is more significant and it’s a higher level of competition.

You are returning to endurance racing, what attracts you to this world?

I love this universe; it’s always been in the back of my mind. I think LMP2 is a great category, and I’ve always wanted to go there. It’s an excellent stepping stone for young drivers who want to make a career in this sport.

It takes you back a bit to your early years in racing…

Yes, I started quite early in this field, it was more in GT4. Here, it’s a completely different level.

In 2016, you preferred to finish your studies rather than continue with car racing.

I was in school, I focused on my studies to validate my diploma rather than on my career. At that time, it was the best option for me to continue my studies. But I kept chasing after that, I was 18 years old at the time.

How did you prepare for the 24 Hours of Le Mans?

This is a completely different track from what I’ve encountered so far. A 24-hour race isn’t necessarily an easy thing. I have many things to learn. You have to get used to the traffic. In ELMS, we’re in the fastest category, but here, we have to deal with Hypercars and GT3s. It’s a very interesting challenge to take on.

You also took part in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, can we compare these two circuits?

These are two totally different tracks, but both races are magical from a historical perspective. The Nürburgring is a bit like a roller coaster; it’s impossible to have a perfect lap, something is always happening. Here, it’s a bit smoother, there’s more rhythm.

Is the Nordschleife more physically demanding than Le Mans?

It’s a bit difficult to compare since I only did it in GT4. But Le Mans is relatively not very physical. There is a lot of rest on the straights, but it’s an intense race because now the cars are, generally speaking, quite reliable. You push quite hard for most of the laps, and in that sense, it’s difficult. But at the same time, the track here is, in some parts, almost like a Grand Prix track: you can push very hard and feel confident.

Did you ask André (Lotterer) for advice?

I asked him quite a few things. He has helped us a lot so far, he’s a very good support. And I think in the coming days, we’ll reach out to him. We’ll ask him for some information.

Let’s talk about your season in ELMS. You started with two victories. Is it something special for you?

Yes, it’s an incredible start. It’s the best possible start. I think we worked very well as a team. I think that’s the beauty of endurance racing, everything must come together to achieve a result, but it will be a completely different challenge. We’ve only done four-hour races so far, and this will be another level.

Did you train on a simulator for this race?

Yes, a bit of simulator. It’s the best way to prepare for this event. But it doesn’t match the feeling of actually driving on the track.

What is the most difficult section of the circuit?

I think it’s the slow corners: Mulsanne or Arnage, they’re tricky. There’s no room for error with the gravel traps and walls being very close. The Porsche corners also require a certain commitment.

Is it difficult to achieve the perfect tour?

Sometimes, we are lucky and can overtake in good places without being hindered. But sometimes, we catch up with slower cars in the corners. Compared to the ELMS where it’s compact, we are on a big circuit, so there is more space.

Are you communicating with the pit wall to anticipate traffic?

Yes, it’s part of traffic management. You need to know what’s ahead and what’s coming behind. It’s extremely important because you can gain or lose a lot of time.

Did your first laps at Le Mans match what you had imagined?

Honestly, I felt exactly what I had imagined, and it’s really special. Sure, you go to Le Mans for the first time, you drive at Le Mans, it’s a very pleasant feeling. I would say it was actually quite close to what I expected, but then you quickly start wanting to find lap time and performance, and just focus on driving.

Is 2026 on your mind?

Yes, a little, but I’m focusing on this year. I’m going to do my best for this season and we’ll see about later.