Jessica Hawkins, representative of Aston Martin and head of the Racing F1 Academy, made history as the first woman to drive a state-of-the-art Formula 1 car with ground effect. This historic moment took place during a demonstration race of the AMR22 at Riyadh Boulevard entertainment center. The event also marked the launch of a new karting initiative in Saudi Arabia, supported by Aramco, with the aim of promoting the participation of women and girls in motorsport. The demonstration race was attended by Fernando Alonso and Tina Hausmann, an F1 Academy apprentice.
Prior to taking the wheel of the AMR22, Hawkins participated in STEM tutorials throughout the day. This was the second time she drove a Formula 1 car, following an official test at Hungaroring last year. Reflecting on her experience, Hawkins expressed her satisfaction in collaborating with Aramco on projects that inspire women and girls to pursue motorsport. She highlighted the numerous questions she has received from women and girls around the world who are eager to get involved. Hawkins emphasized the importance of visibility, especially in preparation for International Women’s Day, in the hope of encouraging more women to enter the field.
During a press conference for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Aston Martin team director Mike Krack praised Hawkins for her achievement, stating that it was a significant moment to witness her driving a state-of-the-art car. Krack also mentioned the presence of Fernando Alonso and Tina from the Formula Academy, emphasizing that the event successfully showcased their efforts to inspire younger generations to pursue careers in motorsport. Krack expressed excitement for future collaborations with Aramco and the possibility of hosting similar events.
In addition to her role as Drivers’ Ambassador, Hawkins will further deepen her involvement with Aston Martin racing in 2024. An announcement made on Thursday revealed that she will make her debut in the British GT Championship with Beechdean AMR. Hawkins, driving the new Aston Martin Vantage GT3, will aim for the Silver-Am class title alongside her co-driver and team owner, Andrew Howard.
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