Jessica Hawkins, Aston Martin’s Formula 1 driver ambassador, confirmed that women possess the physical strength required for the sport.
During a recent interview on the “Road to Success” podcast, Hawkins reflected on a 2023 test of the AMR21 on the Hungaroring circuit, noting that her main limitation was neck fatigue, an issue she says affects all drivers new to high‑downforce machines.
Upper‑Body Strength and Braking Pressures
Hawkins added that the intense leg force demanded by Formula 1’s braking zones posed no challenge for her, contrasting the effort with the higher brake pressures characteristic of her current GT‑class competitions where she feels a greater demand on lower‑body strength.
She acknowledged that while F1 cars feature power steering, leading to smoother handling, junior categories lack this aid, consequently requiring greater upper‑body effort to steer.
Physical Demands in the Junior Ladder
The ambassador suggested the absence of power steering in Formula 2 and Formula 3 cars makes the series “inherently more physical” than F1, especially outside neck endurance, pointing to “other” taxing aspects such as torque and control during prolonged stints.
She stated, “Maybe, because I think F2 is a lot more physical than Formula 1 in different areas. Maybe less physical on the neck, but more physical in other areas.”
Hawkins framed these observations as potential roadblocks for female talent progression within the single‑seat ladder, though she remains confident that women can compete on equal terms.
Her remarks, grounded in personal experience from test sessions and championship races alike, underline a broader conversation about gender parity in motorsport’s demanding physical environment.
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