Former Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence (AASE) learner and racing driver Jessica Hawkins has become the first woman to test a Formula 1 car since 2018.
A previous W Series racer and stunt and precision driver, Jessica tested the 2021 Aston Martin car at the famous Hungaroring circuit near Budapest last week. Previously, Colombia’s Tatiana Calderon tested an F1 Alfa Romeo car in 2018, following F1 Academy founder Susie Wolff in 2015.
Jessica, who studied through Loughborough College for an AASE Motorsport qualification in collaboration with Motorsport UK from 2012 to 2014, shared with BBC Sport, “It’s taken me every bit of blood, sweat, and tears to get here.
“Nothing will compare to the acceleration and braking of a Formula 1 car, and having looked at my data, I’m really proud of my performance.”
Jessica joined Aston Martin as an ambassador in 2021, having previously worked as a stunt driver for the James Bond movie, No Time to Die. She currently holds first place in the Zeo Prototype Series which concludes in October.