News
GALLERY: Aston Martin’s Jessica Hawkins brings Formula 1 to schoolkids in Saudi Arabia
Aston Martin Driver Ambassador Jessica Hawkins took some time out from her schedule at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix to visit some lucky schoolkids in Jeddah.
Hawkins, who last season raced in W Series with the Racing X team, visited the British International School of Jeddah on Thursday, where she met with some of the school’s science students to spread motorsport’s positive message, as well as answering their questions and handing out prizes.
READ MORE: Aseel Al Hamad and Abbi Pulling become first women to drive an F1 car in Saudi Arabia
“It was great,” Hawkins told Formula 1.com. “I met quite a few Year 6 students and they were so enthusiastic. It was so great to see their enthusiasm for Formula 1 and they were all excited to watch the race on Sunday, male and female, so it was great to meet them.”
Asked about the message she tried to impart to the students, Hawkins replied: “I just tried to make them aware that there’s more than just driving in motorsport, there’s so many other parts of the team and without the whole team I wouldn’t be able to do my job.
“There’s engineering, being a mechanic, marketing, strategy – so many different departments within a team to make it run smoothly.
“Certainly growing up, I didn’t know about that,” she added. “Also there’s no such thing as a man’s sport and a woman’s sport, and the women… if they ever get told they can’t do a job because they are female, they shouldn’t listen to that and just follow their dream… They shouldn’t let anything get in their way.”
Check out pictures from Jessica Hawkins’ school visit up top.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
Feature Life as a 'smooth operator', work experience dreams and his dad’s valuable advice – Getting to know the real Carlos Sainz
Feature MY UNTOLD STORY: Five inspirational people describe their journeys to working in F1 – and why there are opportunities for all in the sport
Feature EXCLUSIVE: ‘He embraced the series’ – How ‘charismatic’ Ricciardo took on a starring role in Drive To Survive
Podcast F1 NATION: Why Leclerc is champion material and how F1 rookies are shining – with Ferrari’s Jock Clear