Jamie: “I want to compete at the highest level”
Read Jamie’s thoughts on Indy NXT and the challenges of being a female motorsport driver
Published
29 Aug 2024
Est Reading Time
4 min
Jamie laid down a marker by winning her first Indy NXT race earlier this summer.
The 26-year-old put in a memorable performance at Road America back in June — triumphing in Wisconsin to become the first woman to win a road or street circuit race in IndyCar's feeder series.
That result also represented the first win by a female driver in the competition since Pippa Mann achieved the same feat back in 2010.
Such an impressive display has understandably garnered plenty of attention, so Jamie sat down with Females in Motorsport to chat about her progress in the United States.
She began by discussing the relief of securing her first Indy NXT victory, saying:
“It does in a way [feel like a weight has been lifted], because I know that the speed's been there and internally we know what we've been capable of, but it means nothing when you look at a result sheet at the end of it.
“From a more external point of view, just a tick in that box. From a personal point of view, I just feel like we've had a good speed all year and I now want to use that to ultimately get more podiums and ideally race wins.
“It's a bit of a weird feeling because it definitely feels like a weight, but it also feels like something that, it's onto the next set. It's not something I think too much about.”
The next challenge for Jamie will be to build on that first win, but she is fully aware of the competitive nature of racing in Indy NXT.
“It is competitive now and we're seeing the grid's a lot bigger than it's been previously,” she explained.
“But I love the racing. What I like the most about it is, and for anyone watching, it's quite a long race. It's probably 45 minutes to an hour in length, but it's a sprint race.
“You don't have a huge amount of tyre degradation. You're pushing every lap. And so that lends itself to ultimately more mistakes from people, more opportunity in a way.
“From a driving point of view, it's just intense because you are really pushing for so long of the race.”
Being a renowned female driver means the spotlight can often shine more brightly on Jamie — and bring additional pressure as a result.
She acknowledged as much, saying:
“There's definitely a pressure for that [proving a point about female drivers].
“I really try not to feel it because I don't think it's fair. It's not fair on the other female drivers.
“We look at the talent that's coming through. And it's just because we're such a minority, it's the way it is. But I had a tough year last year and no one's talking about the guy that's finished 16th, 17th, 18th when I'm finishing 15th.
“But just naturally, there is a spotlight on women in the sport. I've not noticed it just with me, but it's across the board and that is frustrating.
“But at the same time, I've got to try and do the best I can. I fully understand and know what women are capable of in this sport. And I want to do the absolute best I can to reflect that. But if it's not me, if I'm not having a good day, I don't have good results, then that really shouldn't reflect on the others coming through.
“And we're getting better at that. We're seeing so many talented drivers coming through and that's what I'm excited about. I just focus on me for where I can — I know what I'm capable of.
“I know what the rest of the women are capable of in this sport. And that's all we can focus on.”
Jamie’s attention now turns to the season’s final few races, as well as her future in 2025 and beyond.
“I've gone on this pathway that is pushing me towards being in the States, but there's still a lot I need to achieve and work on before even that's possible — for example, IndyCar,” she said.
“So, I'm very open. I want to compete at the highest level where I can. I love sports cars. There's so many bucket-list races that I've got on my ideal list.
“So there's a lot that I still would love to do and achieve, but I feel like what I'm learning in IndyNXT and how I'm able to develop as a driver and yeah — just generally improve and develop, will hopefully put me in good stead wherever the opportunities lie for the next step.”
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