Jessica Hawkins charts the future of motorsport’s brightest talents
At the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Aston Martin's F1 Academy Head speaks to the next generation about racing excellence, mentorship and the pursuit of precision on track.
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The roar of engines and the particular electricity that courses through Goodwood during festival season creates the perfect setting for conversations about the future of motorsport. Against this backdrop of speed and heritage, Jessica Hawkins, Aston Martin’s Head of F1 Academy, took to the stage to speak with passionate enthusiasts about her work nurturing the next generation of racing drivers.
For Hawkins, the role extends far beyond administration or distant oversight. Her passion for developing young talent burns as brightly as her competitive fire on the track itself. Nothing, she articulates with quiet conviction, compares to the pure sensation of driving, yet the opportunity to guide and shape emerging racers holds an equally compelling purpose. This duality of mission reflects a deeper commitment within motorsport: ensuring that exceptional talent finds the platform to flourish.
The Silverstone based Academy sits at the intersection of ambition and rigorous preparation. Young drivers who pass through its programmes benefit not merely from instruction, but from proximity to the sophisticated engineering and strategic thinking that defines Aston Martin’s approach to racing. Hawkins brings to this role both her credentials as a professional racing driver and her intimate understanding of the obstacles and opportunities that face those seeking to reach the pinnacle of the sport.
Her own achievements underscore the calibre of mentorship available through the Academy. Last month, Hawkins claimed the 2026 British GT4 Silver Cup Championship, a victory that sits alongside a formidable collection of racing accomplishments. Such success does not emerge from isolation; it reflects years of dedication, tactical acuity and an unwavering commitment to excellence that she now channels into helping others discover their own capacity for achievement.
The Fan Zone stage at the Goodwood Festival, presented by Pirelli, provided an ideal platform for this conversation. Here, amid the energy and enthusiasm of motorsport devotees, Hawkins spoke candidly about her vision for the Academy and the drivers it nurtures. She articulated, with evident passion, the importance of creating pathways for talent that might otherwise remain undiscovered, and of fostering an environment where precision, courage and strategic thinking develop hand in hand.
In bringing her experience directly to enthusiasts and aspiring drivers alike, Hawkins embodied something essential to motorsport’s evolution: the recognition that those at the highest levels bear a responsibility to elevate the sport by investing in its future. Her presence on the stage, speaking with genuine enthusiasm about mentorship and development, reinforced a simple but powerful truth. The most meaningful victories often extend beyond personal achievement to encompass the success of those who follow.
Imagery courtesy of Aston Martin (@fosgoodwood).