Precision, patience, and performance—few worlds embody these values more perfectly than whisky-making and Formula One. It’s what makes the partnership between Glenfiddich and the Aston Martin Formula One team such a natural fit: both are driven by heritage, innovation, and a relentless pursuit of perfection.
For Jessica Hawkins, Aston Martin Formula One’s Head of F1 Academy—the female-only, Formula 4–level single-seater championship founded in 2023—and Driver Ambassador, those same principles have defined every turn of her journey. From the karting circuits of her youth to the moment she climbed into a Formula One car, her career has been a study in precision and perseverance.
“Any young racing driver, when they start in karting, believes one day they’ll be a Formula One driver,” she reflects. That dream became reality in September 2023, when Hawkins completed 26 laps in the Aston Martin AMR21 at the Hungaroring—becoming the first female driver to test an F1 car since Tatiana Calderón in 2018. “It’s only as you get older that you realise how slim the chances are,” she says. “So when it actually came true, it was one of the most incredible things I’ve ever done.”
It wasn’t just a career milestone. It was a moment that encapsulated years of persistence, near-misses, and unwavering belief. “Very few people in the world ever get to drive a Formula One car, and I was one of them,” she says, her voice equal parts humble and proud.
We met Hawkins at Glenfiddich’s exclusive Club 1959 dinner during the Singapore Grand Prix weekend. The evening marked a toast to Glenfiddich’s multi-year partnership with the Aston Martin Formula One Team—a fitting celebration of shared values between two masters of craft. Amid the glow of amber glasses and the hum of race-week energy, Hawkins reflects on how both worlds are bound by a similar obsession with excellence.
“We’re two companies that are constantly striving for perfection,” she says. “There’s so much history behind both brands, so the partnership just made sense. It’s about sharing our passion and showcasing what we do to each other.”
Like whisky-making, racing is a discipline built on patience and precision—where the smallest details can change everything. Both demand a mastery of craft passed down through generations, refined over time but never rushed. “It’s all about attention to detail,” Hawkins says. “You can’t cut corners in either world. You have to respect the process, trust your instincts, and know that excellence takes time.”
Behind Hawkins’s calm professionalism lies a story of grit—a quiet refusal to give up even when the odds were stacked against her. “There have been multiple times where I’ve wanted to quit because things weren’t going my way,” she admits. “But it was my persistence that paid dividends. I wanted to walk away, but I didn’t. I dusted myself down and went again.”
That resilience, she says, is what defines true success—not just in racing, but in life. “Every driver, every team, every company goes through highs and lows. It’s all about how you respond. The ability to stay focused when things aren’t easy—that’s what separates the good from the great.”
Today, as Aston Martin Formula One’s Head of F1 Academy and Driver Ambassador, Hawkins channels that mindset into empowering the next generation of racers. Her career has been anything but conventional—spanning single-seaters, touring cars, and even stunt driving (her adrenaline-fuelled résumé extends to the silver screen, with stunt work in James Bond’s No Time to Die)—but every turn has deepened her respect for the artistry behind performance.
For Hawkins, legacy isn’t defined by trophies or titles, but by transformation. “I don’t think it’s important that I leave a legacy,” she reflects. “What matters to me is creating a safe space for women to work in motorsport and feel accepted, just as much as the men are.”
She envisions a future where women aren’t the exception but the expectation in the paddock. “I’d love to see a more even ratio of men to women, both in the garage and behind the wheel,” she says. “There’s still a long way to go, but if I can make even a small difference—through my work or the partnerships I’m part of—then I feel like I’ve already achieved something meaningful.”
Even as she mentors young talent and helps shape the F1 Academy, Hawkins remains hungry for her own goals. “I still have dreams in motorsport. I still want to race—and win—at Le Mans,” she says, her tone lighting up. “We’re always looking to level up. There are still lots of things I want to achieve. It’s important for me to stay current while helping others rise too.”
For Jessica Hawkins, success isn’t static—it’s a continual evolution. Whether she’s guiding the next generation of drivers or pursuing her own ambitions, her philosophy mirrors that of both Aston Martin Formula One and Glenfiddich: true excellence isn’t rushed—it’s refined.
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