Jessica Hawkins said a woman will be in a Formula 1 race seat within the next few years.
Hawkins Forecasts Gender‑Integrated Grid
The 31‑year‑old, former W Series driver, told the “Road to Success” podcast that a female Formula 1 driver will not be a distant hope, but a near‑future reality.
She cited her 2023 test of the Aston Martin AMR21 in Hungary – the most recent modern F1 machinery trial by a woman in almost five years – to demonstrate that physical capability is not a barrier.
“After doing half a race‑distance I found my neck strained,” Hawkins said, adding that this was common among drivers who had gaps between single‑seater seasons, not a gender issue.
F1 Academy as a Catalyst
The driver highlighted the new F1 Academy program, which she described as a crucial platform that had not existed for women in prior decades.
“If you look at the series, it was almost a fantasy at my age,” she reflected. “There are drivers who will succeed and reject the challenge; the ones who persevere will be ready to contest for Formula 1 seats.”
Implications for Emerging Talent
Hawkins points to current competitors such as PREMA Racing’s Doriane Pin and MP Motorsport’s Maya Weug, noting that the Academy’s track time and exposure are making a tangible difference for aspiring female drivers.
In the same interview, she stated that any woman in a first‑time Formula 1 car will feel their neck work hard, just as current drivers do, illustrating the realism of her experience.
Looking Forward
With the establishment of the F1 Academy, the pathway for women to reach Formula 1 has become more concrete. The series offers essential race‑distance practice and visibility, setting the stage for the next generation of female competitors.
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