BREAKING: Aston Martin driver in SHOCK team...

Aston Martin driver in SHOCK team switch

Aston ~~Martin,~~ the Formula 1 team owned by Lawrence Stroll, has seen a challenging 2024 season, with neither Fernando Alonso nor Lance Stroll securing a podium finish, despite their impressive performance in 2023, which included eight top-three finishes. As a result, the team ended the 2024 season in fifth place in the Constructors’ Championship, a significant 350 points behind fourth-placed Mercedes. While the on-track results were disappointing, there is hope for the future with Alonso signing a new contract for 2024, and the addition of design legend Adrian Newey to the team starting in 2025. The team has also seen progress with its junior drivers, such as Felipe Drugovich, who won the 2022 Formula 2 title, Jak Crawford, who claimed a victory and six podium finishes in F2 in 2024, and Tina Hausmann, who began her career in the F1 Academy under the team’s backing.

In a surprising career development, Aston Martin driver Jessica Hawkins has made her first steps toward a new motorsport series. Hawkins, known for her role as the head of the F1 Academy at Aston Martin, has also been supporting Hausmann in her role as the team’s driver ambassador. In addition to her F1 Academy duties, Hawkins has now ventured into the world of NASCAR, participating in an audition with Hendrick Motorsports at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in October. This marks a significant shift for Hawkins, who had previously made headlines in 2023 when she became the first female driver to complete a test in an F1 car in over five years.

Hawkins’ NASCAR audition included a session with four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon, who helped her get acquainted with the Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet. The British racer first familiarized herself with the car using a simulator, before taking it to the track for an actual test. Reflecting on the experience, Hawkins expressed her enthusiasm for the new challenge, stating that the transition felt quite natural. She mentioned that the car’s braking zones and gear selection were aspects she was able to adapt to fairly quickly. Hawkins acknowledged that the experience was an adjustment but expressed that she thoroughly enjoyed the test.

This shift into NASCAR represents a new chapter for Hawkins, who has steadily built her profile within motorsport through her involvement in the F1 Academy and her work with Aston Martin. Her transition from single-seaters to stock cars shows the versatility of her driving skills and adds an exciting new dimension to her racing career. It will be interesting to see how her involvement in NASCAR develops and how it impacts her future within motorsport, particularly with Aston Martin’s growing interest in supporting diverse talent across different racing series.