2016 Formula 1 World Champion Nico Rosberg revealed during last weekend’s Qatar Grand Prix that Jessica Hawkins’ lap times during her first test for Aston Martin were “super rapid” compared to the team’s official test driver Felipe Drugovich.
As part of her role as an Aston Martin driver ambassador, Hawkins was given the opportunity to test the side’s 2021 car at the Hungaroring, the venue which hosts, of course, the Hungarian Grand Prix.
She completed 26 laps behind the wheel of the AMR21, leaving her confident that F1 will soon have a female driver once again.
One thing Aston Martin and Hawkins have done is keep her lap times a secret, although Rosberg has managed to get hold of them.
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Whilst he didn’t reveal the exact lap times Hawkins completed, the ex-Mercedes driver revealed that they were very competitive compared to reigning Formula 2 Champion Drugovich.
“What everybody doesn’t know, I know your lap times when you were testing,” said Rosberg on Sky Sports F1.
“I can tell the little secret that you were rapid compared to the official test driver.
“I’m not going to say the exact times, because I know those too, but you were super rapid.”
Hawkins admitted in response that she was “surprised” at her lap times and was “very happy” with the test, without giving her lap times away.
“It went well and I maybe surprised myself, I was very happy with how it went,” Hawkins replied to Rosberg.
Having now had a taste of F1 machinery, Hawkins is hungry to drive an Aston Martin F1 car again next year, something she’s pushing for behind-the-scenes.
She’s been a huge inspiration and has broken down several barriers blocking female drivers from making progress, with her playing a key role in Aston Martin’s F1 Academy programme which’ll commence next season.
Hawkins is currently working on attracting more sponsors for 2024, not only to support herself but also other young female drivers.
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“My next goal is to push to get back in the car,” Hawkins confirmed.
“I think at least I did a good enough job to put myself in that position.
“Over the winter I’ll work hard to ensure that I’m able to bring other sponsors and the partners to work with me to achieve my dream and work with them to achieve theirs, and inspiring more women along the way.”