AMRTC, Silverstone - Aston Martin Aramco Formula One™ Team Head of F1 Academy and Driver Ambassador Jessica Hawkins will make her GT World Challenge Europe (GTWC) debut this year, thanks to support from commercial partners Arm and Valvoline™ Global Operations.
Arm, a global leader in power-efficient, high-performance compute technology, was announced as the Official AI Compute Platform Partner of Aston Martin Aramco in January. As well as a focus on technology, Arm and the team aim to foster a more inclusive and equitable future in motorsport and STEM, which includes Jessica representing Arm as an Official Ambassador. In this role, Jessica will continue to champion opportunities for women in motorsport, both through her racing and in her role as Head of F1 Academy.
Valvoline Global, a worldwide leader in automotive and industrial solutions, and the team’s Official Lubricant Partner, will proudly sponsor Jessica’s racing efforts for a second consecutive year.
After an impressive performance in British GT – where she recorded two Silver-Am class podium finishes in her maiden season – Jessica, who started her career in karting, is set to make her first appearance in GTWC. She will race the Aston Martin Vantage GT3 - Aston Martin's most successful racing car – with Comtoyou Racing, the team that triumphed in last season’s 24 Hours of Spa with their PRO car. Jessica will compete in the Endurance Cup which will see her compete in Endurance rounds across the 2025 season. Her teammates will be revealed by Comtoyou in the following days.
Jessica's racing pedigree is undeniable; former British karting Champion, a stunt driver, race winner in TCR UK and a podium finisher in W Series, she was also the first woman in more than five years to drive a modern Formula One car in her official test with the team. In 2024, she also became the first woman to drive the latest generation of F1 car in the team's first ever demo run with title partner Aramco. The GT World Challenge Europe Endurance series begins on 11 – 13 April at Circuit Paul Ricard.
Jessica Hawkins, Head of F1 ACADEMY and Driver Ambassador, Aston Martin Aramco Formula One™ Team, said: “I’m thrilled to be making my debut in GT World Challenge Europe with Comtoyou Racing this year. Having previous experience with the Aston Martin Vantage GT3 from my time in British GT and working with an established team like Comtoyou I hope will help going into my first season.”
“I’d like to thank Arm and Valvoline for their support in helping me to progress to GTWC, it’s an excellent next step in my racing career and will allow me the opportunity to work towards my ultimate dream of competing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. I’m looking forward to the challenge and can’t wait to get racing at some new and familiar circuits.”
Dipti Vachani, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Automotive Line of Business Arm, said: “At Arm, we want to inspire and empower the next generation of STEM professionals and racing drivers alike to find their voice, and working with a trailblazer for women in motorsport like Jessica is helping to foster new pathways for future talent. We look forward to seeing how Jessica and Comtoyou Racing fare throughout the season and partnering together to continue this important work.”
Adam Carter, Aston Martin Head of Endurance Motorsport said: “We are thrilled that Jessica will be progressing to racing in GT World Challenge Europe this year, thanks to support from Arm and Valvoline. This is part of a long-term vision to give Jessica the platform and experience to put herself in a position where one day, she could fulfil her dream of racing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. We are all looking forward for Jessica to hit the track for the first time in April, back in the GT3 Vantage.”