Five epic drives: rising star Jamie Chadwick

Jamie Chadwick is a British racing driver and member of the Williams Racing Formula 1 team Driver Academy. She is a three-time W Series Champion (winning consecutively in 2019, 2020 and 2021) and is up next in the 2023 Indy NXT championship with Andretti Autosport. She tells us about her all-time favourite drives to inspire your next trip behind the wheel

As told to Rebecca Banks

Route des Crêtes: Casis to St Tropez, France

Christchurch to Queenstown via Lake Tekapo, New Zealand

Decker Canyon Road in Malibu, California,

Route des Crêtes: Cassis to Saint-Tropez, France

This is a route I have driven a few times. I’ve spent a fair bit of time in this area as it’s near the Circuit Paul Ricard race track, which I have raced at on a number of occasions. As well as driving in a road car, I have taken my bike out that way before as the roads are perfect for it – I do a lot of cycling as part of my training. The road is incredibly beautiful. It goes around gorges and stunning mountainous areas by the coastline.

Car of choice: 1973 Porsche 911 2.7 RS
Soundtrack: ‘Back on 74’ by Jungle

Isle of Man TT Course

I grew up on the Isle of Man, so I know the TT course a little bit. My dad used to drive us around there and, at that time, there were no speed limits. Thinking about it now, I don’t think he was driving that quick, but back then it felt like he was going very fast. My favourite section is Bray Hill through to Ballacraine. Driving through the villages and up through the hills is pretty cool. The nippy rally characteristics of the Toyota would be perfect for these roads.

Car of choice: Toyota GR Yaris
Soundtrack: ‘The Man’ by The Killers

Nairobi to the Masai Mara, Kenya

I did this twice when I was a bit younger, as I have friends who live in Kenya. The route itself is only about 150 miles, but it takes about six hours. Still to this day, it is one of the best experiences I have ever had – going on the safari and the drive especially. You really see the transition from a built-up city area into one of the most beautiful national reserves there is. There’s so much to see. It definitely needs a car that can handle the off-road sections. I found it really funny to see zebras crossing the road!

Car of choice: Ineos Grenadier 4x4
Soundtrack: ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ by Lynyrd Skynyrd

Christchurch to Queenstown, via Lake Tekapo, New Zealand

I did this during lockdown as I got stuck in New Zealand for a little bit. I was in Christchurch and decided to drive down to Queenstown via Lake Tekapo. It was one of those journeys where I had to stop every five minutes to take photos and film the route as it was so beautiful. The lakes are stunning, with clear blue water. In an ideal world, I would put my mountain bike in the back of the car and go hiking in the mountains, hence the need for a big car.

Car of choice: Land Rover Defender 90
Soundtrack: ‘Drift Away’ by Dobie Gray

Decker Canyon Road, Malibu, California, USA

This is up in the hills near Malibu in California and it’s definitely a trip you would not want to be a passenger for! It’s really fun to drive as it’s very tight and winding up there. It’s a stunning route with amazing roads. Now that I am based more in the USA, it’s definitely a place I would like to go back to. You can’t look past blasting out ‘California Dreamin’ on this one.

Car of choice: Porsche 1956 Speedster
Sountrack: ‘California Dreamin’ by The Mamas & The Papas