Jessica Hawkins, a force to be reckoned with in motorsport, has made it her mission to break down social barriers and defy conventions.
The 28-year-old former British karting champion not only dazzled as a stunt driver in the James Bond movie “No Time To Die” but also achieved a groundbreaking feat last week, becoming the first woman to test an F1 car in half a decade.
Breaking Down Barriers in F1: A Historic Feat
Aston Martin proudly announced that Hawkins had the opportunity to take the wheel of their 2021 F1 car at the Hungaroring, the iconic venue of the Hungarian Grand Prix, alongside Felipe Drugovich, the reserve driver of both Aston Martin and McLaren, and the 2022 F2 champion.
During her stint, she completed an impressive 26 laps and left everyone awe-struck with her performance.
Reflecting on this historic opportunity, Hawkins expressed her gratitude: “I want to say a big thank you to everyone at AMF1 Team for having the trust in me, believing in me, and for giving me this opportunity.
It’s taken me every bit of blood, sweat, and tears to get here. When I first heard it might be a possibility, I could hardly believe it. I’ve had to keep it secret for months now – which was pretty hard! It’s been absolutely worth it and it’s given me really valuable insight.”
Hawkins, whose journey has been fueled by determination and passion, aims to inspire other women to pursue their dreams, regardless of the field. She added, “Getting to drive the AMR21 has been a dream come true for me and one I’ve been ready to fulfill for a long time.
I’ll keep pushing for more, and in the process, I want to inspire other women and let them know they should follow their dream no matter what it is.”
Jessica Hawkins: A Trailblazer in F1
Aston Martin team principal Mike Krack also lauded Hawkins for her exceptional preparation and maturity: “We were really impressed by Jessica’s preparation for the test – she worked incredibly hard with our simulator team, and that made it an easy decision to put her in the AMR21. Jessica approached the opportunity with great maturity; she was up to speed quickly and found a nice rhythm.”
Breaking down barriers in the world of F1 has been a gradual process, with women like Jessica Hawkins paving the way.
The last woman to test an F1 car was Tatiana Calderon in 2018, while Susie Wolff’s practice session in 2015 was the last time a female driver took part in an F1 event. The gap has been long, but it’s being bridged, and Jessica Hawkins is at the forefront of this change.
Beyond her incredible achievements on the racetrack, Hawkins’s journey also saw her transition from a lack of funding that stalled her motorsport career to becoming a stunt driver.
A friend’s Facebook post opened doors to her as a stunt driver, allowing her to raise funds before joining the W Series.
From Karting Champion to James Bond Stunt Driver: Jessica’s Remarkable Journey
Notably, this opportunity also led her to feature in the James Bond blockbuster “No Time To Die,” where she showcased her remarkable car control skills.
Reflecting on her stunt driver career, Hawkins recalled, “All of the stunts that were in the movie, we performed live. Bond was actually my first movie. There was quite a lot of pressure, but I was confident in my ability and I had an incredible team around me. I’m super proud of what I’ve done.”
Jessica Hawkins’s journey from karting champion to James Bond stunt driver to making history as an F1 test driver showcases her unwavering determination, passion, and her commitment to smashing barriers in the world of motorsport.
Her journey is a testament to what can be achieved when one dares to dream.
