Jessica Hawkins predicts a woman will race in Formula 1 within "a few years"

Hawkins backs a near-term breakthrough

Jessica Hawkins believes Formula 1 is only “a few years” away from seeing a woman take a place on the grand prix grid, arguing that the F1 Academy can develop the talent needed to make that possibility a reality.

“I think we're a few years away from it. But I do believe it will happen,” she said. “I would be a fraud if I sat here and said I didn't think that would happen because I do believe it. If I were to say no, it would go against everything I stand for.”

Physical demands are not a gender barrier

Hawkins acknowledged that her neck struggled after completing half a race distance in the Aston Martin, but rejected the idea that the difficulty was connected to her being a woman. Instead, she pointed to her lack of recent single-seater preparation, noting that she had not been racing in Formula 2 or Formula 3 immediately before the test.

“I am absolutely convinced women are strong enough for Formula 1,” Hawkins said. “I'm convinced, having driven one myself for half a race distance, I could have done a whole race distance.”

She added that even Formula 1 drivers could experience neck soreness when returning to a car after a year away, reinforcing her view that preparation—not biology—was the relevant factor in her test.

F1 Academy’s role in creating opportunity

Hawkins believes the F1 Academy has changed the development landscape by giving young female drivers track time and visibility that were previously unavailable. She said the championship has the potential to “really make some drivers”, while accepting that not every competitor will progress.

“Some drivers will go into it, and they'll sink. Some drivers will go into it, and they'll swim,” she explained. “And the ones that swim, they're the ones that are good enough to go up and fight for these Formula 1 seats.”

Her comments come as Maya Weug discusses the toughest year of her career, underlining the competitive pressure facing drivers seeking to turn opportunity into a lasting career in single-seater racing.