Jessica Hawkins has become the first woman in many years to test a modern Formula 1 car. Roksana Ćwik spoke with the Aston Martin Ambassador in Qatar about her experience driving an F1 car, preparations, the new F1 Academy series, and the opportunities for women in motorsports.
Firstly, how do you feel after testing the F1 car?
I obviously feel amazing. My neck gave me a solid reminder that I've been driving a Formula 1 car for a good few days after or another solid reminder… But no, it feels amazing, and I'm still on a high.
How long did you prepare for this?
I obviously spent a lot of time preparing. I knew that it was happening, so I had time to prepare extra. I spent lots of time focusing on my neck, and just all around upping the training, really. It fed me well, but my neck was still a bit sore.
Have you felt the effects of testing and driving a car like a Formula 1 car on yourself? How much downforce is in this car?
It was sore for a good few days afterwards, but I was expecting that. It's been a while since I've been in W Series, so I think it would have hurt having driven anything with high downforce, just because I've been out of a seat for a while. It wasn't a complete shock, I knew it was probably going to be sore.
Is there much difference between the W Series and an F1 car?
It's massive, it's a massive, massive step. But one that I felt very, very ready for.
I don't know if you've seen, but there have been all sorts of comments after your test. Don't you think women still need to show others, especially in F1, that we can do things the way men do?
Definitely. Obviously, it's not nice to see that there's still so many comments like that, but I feel that the people writing them don't actually know. That's just based off a stereotype. So I think the people who are important, that are high within motorsport, aren't writing comments like that, so they're almost irrelevant and unnecessarily. I don't really tend to read them that much because I think all it will do is make me doubt myself, and I don't need that. I don't have any interest in what anybody else says.
You are a role model for many girls. Do you feel that people support you more after this test?
Yeah, definitely. The response has been amazing, and it's really nice to read some of them. I've not been sent one bad message. Everybody has been so supportive. Genuinely, I've had so, so many positive messages, like young girls saying thank you for inspiring them, and thank you for this and that. Even parents of young girls: «My daughter absolutely loves you» and things like that. It's very nice to read.
Did you speak to the drivers, Fernando or Lance, after the test?
No. Felipe [Drugovich] was very helpful there in my preparation as well.
So you were working with Felipe?
Well... He's obviously done a few days in the car before, and if I ever had any questions, I'd go and ask him. And he'd be helpful.
How does it feel to win a race?
To win a race? Very good, there's nothing that compares to it. Nothing compares to winning. That's why we're all here.
Do you feel that eventually a woman will appear in F1? We know that one of the new teams that had a target to enter the F1 grid wanted to make a special place for women. Do you think it will happen sooner or later?
I don't think it's going to happen overnight. I don't think it's going to be, probably within the next couple of years. But I do think that we're edging closer and closer and closer, and someday soon we will have a female Formula 1 driver.
When will we see you in FP1?
I don't know. Currently, it's not really an option because of superlicence points. But never say never. And I will prepare for it, just in case it happens.
Will there be more tests like the one in Hungary? Do you know anything more?
Nothing official yet but I'd like to think that it's being spoken about, but nothing set in stone and no news. I will push as hard as I can to make it happen.
What do you think of the new women's series, F1 Academy?
I think it's fantastic. It's obviously giving a platform for also the younger generation to look at and think that it's something that they can get involved in. It's obviously bigger and better next year, and I look forward to working closely with the Aston Martin team within F1 Academy.
Don't you think we are missing an opportunity to see the girls? Because only the final round at the upcoming US GP will be broadcast live.
Yeah, but it's a new championship this year. They had to find their feet. There are many things to sort. It will be bigger and better next year. I think next year they're probably all going to be televised. I don't know, but I'm just guessing. But yeah, it's a new championship, so it's great to see that they're moving on to bigger and better things next year.
As you said, you will be involved next year. Have you spoken to Susie Wolff, the Managing Director of the series?
Yeah, Susie and I have spoken briefly, and I'm sure I'll get the opportunity to speak to her again closer, you know, once more in the future.
I'm still keeping my fingers crossed to see you in F1, hopefully soon, really soon. Best of luck and don't give up!
Thank you very much.
