Feature

Jessica Hawkins talks Zandvoort, Monza and going trackside

Aston Martin F1 Driver Ambassador Jessica Hawkins reveals which circuit the AMR22 might perform best at, where fans can meet her, and what her favourite type of bread is – spoiler alert: it's not sourdough.

From the relentless twists and turns of Circuit Zandvoort to the ferociously fast straights of Autodromo Nazionale Monza, the Dutch and Italian Grands Prix present very different challenges.

But, despite the circuits' differences, on countless occasions, they have both treated us to the kind of racing that keeps you on the edge of your seat – hooked on adrenaline from the very first lap to the very last.

Fresh from having completed a track walk of the 4.2km rollercoaster ride that is Circuit Zandvoort, we caught up with Aston Martin F1 Driver Ambassador Jessica Hawkins to discover what she's looking forward to most at the Dutch and Italian Grands Prix.

A helping hand and another pair of eyes

"I love being with the team at Grands Prix; I use it as an opportunity to help wherever I can – providing another perspective based on things I might have seen at the track or learnt prior to the weekend. There are only two drivers, so the more eyes on the circuit and the more experience of the track, the better.

"From year to year, a circuit never really changes too much, but the cars, especially this year with the new technical regulations, change a lot and that can bring new challenges.

"You might have to drive the circuit differently or approach the race in a different way, so all information is good information.

"I think Monza might just suit the AMR22 better than Zandvoort, but the car is constantly evolving – we're always making improvements. It will be interesting to see how we fare at these two Grands Prix.

"I'll be listening intently to all the feedback from each session throughout the debriefs."

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Passionate fans and electric atmospheres

"I raced at Zandvoort last year in W Series – finishing in the top five – and, of all the circuits we raced at, it has to be one of my favourites. The banked corners, the sweeping sections, the rapid direction changes… and then there's the atmosphere, which is second to none. The Dutch fans can't get enough of Formula One – they love it.

"The circuit is in a beautiful area of the Netherlands and there are some lovely driving roads nearby. The fact it's near the beach is a bonus for the fans but, unfortunately, we don't have the time to feel the sand between our toes because we're so focused on what we need to do at the track.

"As for Monza, the first thing I think of is bread. Don't ask me why, but I just love Italian bread – it's my favourite. Focaccia, ciabatta, pizza, the list goes on and on.

"Monza is such a special place. As one of the most historic and atmospheric circuits on the calendar, it's at the heart of Formula One. The passion of the fans in Italy is on another level.

"It's obviously a very partisan crowd – it is Ferrari territory, after all – but there's a huge appreciation for the sport in general and I'm sure we'll see splashes of Aston Martin green in the grandstands."

A different kind of pitstop

"The Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% ‘Il Pitstop' is coming to the Netherlands and Italy (1-4 September in Leidschendam and 7-11 September in Milan). It's such a great way for people to experience F1.

"If they can't make it to a race, they can still soak up some of the atmosphere and feel like they're part of the team, with things like the AMF1 show car on display and pitstop challenges. Fans love it and I'll be in Milan to meet them. I can't wait!"

Learn more about how you can #FeelThePassionInside the Aston Martin F1 garage with ‘Il Pitstop', the multi-sensory experience that immerses fans in the sights, sounds and smells of F1.