Jessica Hawkins discusses her excitement ahead of the Miami Grand Prix and the upcoming round of F1 Academy
We're approaching quarter distance in a record-breaking Formula One campaign. What's your take on our season so far?
"We've been slightly quicker in Qualifying compared to our race pace, but we're making progress with our performance in both quali and race trim. Fernando qualified in P3 for the Chinese Grand Prix and that represents our best Qualifying of the year; that shows the car is improving.
"We need to keep making improvements, but we're heading in the right direction. We're moving forwards and closing the gap to the front, and everyone at the AMR Technology Campus is pushing hard to bring a continuous programme of updates to the car throughout the season."
We return to Miami this weekend, the scene of your W Series podium and a thrilling location for a Formula One Grand Prix. What are your thoughts when you think of Miami?
"I've got nothing but great memories of Miami. It's a place that has always been good to me and I'm very, very excited to go back this year with the team. It's a really great place and has a wonderful vibe.
"The city certainly delivers as a race host. The size of it is just unreal and the circuit location at the Hard Rock Stadium is very cool. There's such a buzz in this city and so much enthusiasm for the sport, and the feeling that I got after my podium was incredible. The only thing that would have been better would have been a win, of course, but that adrenaline that you get when you're on the podium is heightened because you're in Miami and the crowd is amazing."
What's the key to unlocking laptime in Miami?
"There's a section leading from the end of the first sector into the second sector and it’s one of the most important areas on the circuit. You leave Turn Eight and head onto one of the longest full-throttle sections on the calendar. It comprises Turn Nine and Turn 10, but the sequence is flat out all the way down towards the heavy braking zone at Turn 11. Nailing the exit out of Turn Eight onto that section is crucial and the same can be said for the long straight between Turn 16 and Turn 17, which takes up most of sector three.
"There's a real mix of corners here so car setup needs to cater for that, and you have to be really quick with your hands because there are corner sequences that come in quick succession. Being precise in Miami offers a lot of reward.
"Finally, the track surface towards the end of the lap can be slippery, particularly on the exit of the final corner – you can't let your concentration drop for one second."
F1 Academy also returns this weekend on the F1 support package. How has Aston Martin Aramco F1 Academy Driver Tina Hausmann been preparing for this weekend?
"Tina is excited to go racing again. She's learning lots and her development is coming on strong. We're still early in the season but she's taking everything in very well. She works very hard and she's confident going into Miami.
"Tina made a solid start to the season in Saudi Arabia, finishing in the top six first time out before a technical issue outside of her control stopped her from coming away from Jeddah with even more points. She's taken a lot of confidence from that opening weekend and is fully focused on putting in a strong performance in Miami."
You're set to take to the streets of Miami in a bike ride with our Global Partner, Citi, and a host of Aston Martin Aramco fans. Can you tell us more about what's planned?
"We did it last year and it was a lot of fun, so I'm looking forward to doing it again. Last year we toured Wynwood, Miami's art district, and we heard about the history of some of the paintings and street art. It's one of the most iconic areas in Miami so it was cool to explore and the day was really insightful.
"This year, we'll be heading downtown with 10 members of our I / AM community. They'll have spent time with our Team Ambassador Pedro de la Rosa earlier in the day at a local Citi branch, and they'll be wearing some of our limited-edition Miami merchandise for the ride as we take in some iconic landmarks.
"Obviously, racing is the main reason we're all travelling the world but it's always important to take a step away from the paddock and realise where you are and what you're experiencing and take the opportunity to connect with fans. Wherever we go racing, there's always scope for us to connect with fans and cultures and bring people closer to the team and the sport. It's a chance to meet new people, have a great time, and Miami is fantastic for that."