Chambers not putting ‘too harsh expectations’ on adapting to new series

Despite already feeling confident behind the wheel in F1 ACADEMY, Chloe Chambers isn’t piling the pressure on herself as she seeks to embrace all the new experiences on the horizon this season.

2023 proved to be a season of huge growth for the American driver. Competing in the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship, she made history as the series’ first female polesitter and winner.

Her progression was evident when she received their “Most Improved Driver” award and that momentum is something she’s keen to carry forward across 2024.

Reflecting on her arrival on to the grid, Chambers said: “It’s my first year in F1 ACADEMY, so there’s still a lot to learn and a lot of new experiences coming this year, but I’m looking forward to it all.

“For me, the biggest things to work on this year are definitely just honing my driving skills and getting more adapted to tracks quicker. That’s definitely a big thing for this year since most of the circuits that we’re going to this year are new.”

With F1 ACADEMY bringing new opportunities, one door that has opened up for Chambers is the chance to represent a Formula 1 team. Haas opted for an all-American partnership by selecting the 19-year-old as their nominated driver for this season and she explained how honoured she feels to be racing for her compatriots.

“Representing Haas as not just a Formula 1 team, but also the only American Formula 1 team is a huge statement,” Chambers said. “I am a proud American driver, so to be kind of flying the flag for both of us at all these races all over the world is something super cool and something I’m proud to do.

“Haas have been really nice to work with so far, everybody’s been super welcoming. When I went and did my factory visit, everybody was super nice and offered their help if I ever needed it.”

Whilst Chambers will have no shortage of fans at every round, there’s one venue where she’ll certainly be feeling the love — Miami. Back on home soil after a top-four finish in Jeddah Race 1, the Campos Racing driver is optimistic about her chances.

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Having scored points on her last visit to the street circuit in 2022, Chambers recognises she has a slight advantage over the two-thirds of the field that will be making their debut there.

“I’m definitely most looking forward to Miami,” she said. “It’s my home race, but I’ve driven the circuit before in W Series a couple of years ago, so I have a little bit of familiarity with it. I enjoy the circuit a lot. I think the racing on it is very good, the atmosphere of all the fans there and also the location that it’s in is just perfect.”

Chambers added: “It’s super challenging to go to a new circuit. Even just going into a new circuit as a driver, but your team has driven there, it’s still super difficult. But for a lot of the tracks this year, they’re brand new to everybody – teams, drivers, all of it. So, it’ll be a challenge to see who can get up to speed the quickest.”

Whilst victories and silverware are the natural targets for any driver, Chambers isn’t making any assumptions about how she’ll fare this year. Taking each session as it comes, the Haas driver believes that her approach will allow her to avoid getting bogged down after any setbacks.

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“I’m approaching this season with pretty open expectations,” she explained. “Of course, everybody wants to win, so obviously that’s kind of the goal that everybody is shooting for. But for me, with it being my first year in the series and actually having not raced many of these drivers, I can’t really go in putting too harsh expectations on myself. I think that’s the best way to go about it as a driver because then you have the least amount of stress. Then ultimately, that will probably end up leading to having the best results.

“I feel like if you go in with the goal of this is the position that I want and that’s all you’re worried about, and you don’t get that position — even if it’s not really something that’s your fault — it will still hurt your confidence a lot. As a feeling, it’s just nicer going in without really having any expectations.”