Sole Female Racer in Carrera Cup Continues to Excel

Esmee Hawkey prides herself on being the only female racer in what has traditionally been a male-dominated field.

By Brett Foote - April 30, 2020

Sole Female Racer in Carrera Cup Continues to Excel

Lone Entry

Even today, men still pretty much dominate motorsports. But that's slowly changing as more and more women are getting behind the wheel. That includes the 22-year-old Esmee Hawkey, who is presently the only female in Carrera Cup GB. But that doesn't phase the Chiselhurst, England native one bit. In fact, she sees it as somewhat of an advantage.

Photos: Porsche

Rapid Rise

In 2019, the rising star secured a third-place finish in Pro-Am before moving from GT Marques to Team Parker Racing, a larger U.K. organization that is also working with Porsche GB's newest GT Junior, Harry King. It's quite a big step up for Hawkey, but she's been rapidly climbing the ranks throughout her entire young career.

Photos: Porsche

>>Join the conversation about Esmee Hawkey and the Carrera Cup right here in the Rennlist forum.

Driver Development

"It’s definitely the right move for me in developing as a driver," Hawkey said. "We only had one mechanic and a few staff last year, but this year I’ll have a lot more behind me, which helps you to focus on the driving. It’s very different from what I’ve been used to, but it’s the right step if I want to move into GT or endurance racing in the future."

Photos: Porsche

>>Join the conversation about Esmee Hawkey and the Carrera Cup right here in the Rennlist forum.

Finding Inspiration

Hawkey's father was a racer as well, which obviously inspired her to follow in his footsteps. "I grew up doing ballet and tap dancing and pretty girly things, and at that time my dad was racing in the Monaco Endurance Karting Championship. When he made the podium me and my little brother would get invited to stand up there with him and it was an amazing experience. I liked it all so much that I wanted to get involved."

Photos: Porsche

>>Join the conversation about Esmee Hawkey and the Carrera Cup right here in the Rennlist forum.

Getting Started

Soon, Hawkey had her own kart, which was a bit of a breakthrough, because she wasn't even sure if girls were allowed to do such things. "It took me a long time to say anything," Hawkey said. "It was all men driving the karts and you didn’t see many women around. But on my eighth birthday, I got given a kart and that’s where it all started." Shortly thereafter, the wins just kept racking up and Hawkey could not be denied.

Photos: Porsche

>>Join the conversation about Esmee Hawkey and the Carrera Cup right here in the Rennlist forum.

Starting Out Hot

Hawkey's first big move was getting into the Cayman GT4 championship. In her first season, Hawkey finished second, missing out on the title by a single point. After experiencing great success there, a Carrera Cup scholarship followed, before Hawkey entered the coveted single-make championship for the first time as the only female driver.

Photos: Porsche

>>Join the conversation about Esmee Hawkey and the Carrera Cup right here in the Rennlist forum.

Anything You Can Do

Today, nobody is sleeping on Hawkey's abilities. And she's using her position of fame to help break through barriers. "It’s quite empowering to be the only female on the grid and I like the fact that I get to show other women and girls what is possible. I have young kids following me and they come and say hi at all my races, and that’s really nice because of they kind of look up to me. It’s such a male-dominated sport still, and I get to show them that I can do it just as much as anyone else."

Photos: Porsche

>>Join the conversation about Esmee Hawkey and the Carrera Cup right here in the Rennlist forum.

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