Will Lily Verstappen follow in father Max's footsteps? 'I hope it happens before then'
Jessica Hawkins, Driver Ambassador and Head of F1 Academy for Aston Martin, sees opportunities for women in motorsport slowly but surely growing. In an interview with GPblog, the Brit discusses the chances of female drivers moving up to Formula 1 and answers whether Lily Verstappen, daughter of four-time world champion Max Verstappen, could ever become the first female F1 champion.
Lily Verstappen in F1? It won't be the genes stopping her
This is something she certainly does not rule out. "I’m hoping that maybe we might see one before then," says Hawkins. “But yeah, quite possibly. I guess, yeah, good genes to have – good fast genes – and I’m hoping we’ll see one before then, maybe.”
According to Hawkins, it is more important to look at the girls who are already active in motorsport.
She does not want to name names, but she certainly sees young drivers making an impression.
"I think there are a couple of slightly younger drivers, still at the early part of their career, who are showing signs that they could be really, really good," she explains.
"But it’s too early to tell. As long as they get the development they need, and they’re getting everything at this early stage in their career."
[Lily Verstappen's are] good genes to have – good fast genes – and I’m hoping we’ll see one [a female F1 champion] before then, maybe.- Jessica Hawkins
Hawkins points to a crucial phase in career
According to Hawkins, it is crucial that the guidance at a young age is of the order.
She believes this could make the difference between getting stuck and actually breaking through. "That [early stage] is so important," she emphasizes.
In response to the question whether Formula 1 should invest more in it, Hawkins points to the progress that has already been made.
"If you look at what they’re doing now compared to many years ago, we’re so much further forward," she says.
"We can’t expect to see dramatic change overnight, but the direction we’re going in is very positive. We just need to continue the processes in place now."
However, she does emphasize that change takes time.
"The younger drivers we’re seeing now need to grow older and gain experience," Hawkins continues. "I think this is really going to pay dividends in a few years’ time."
In 2025, Hawkins will compete in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup, where she drives for Comtoyou Racing in the Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 Evo with start number 270.
In this class, she participated this year in the 6 hours of Paul Ricard, the 3 hours of Monza and the 24 hours of Spa-Francorchamps.
On the weekend of August 31, when the Dutch Grand Prix is also held in Zandvoort, she will compete in the 3 hours of the Nürburgring.
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