“Everyone’s dream is F1. My dream is to become a professional driver” — Jessica Edgar

Jessica Edgar is the tenth member of her family to become a professional driver. At just 17-years old, the British driver will be part of the Rodin Carlin team in the inaugural season of the F1 Academy. 

Edgar will be the first woman in her family to continue with the passion for motor racing that has been in her family for over six decades.

For Jessica, getting in the roots of F1 is her goal. “Everyone’s dream is F1. My dream is to become a professional driver.”

The Edgar family’s motor racing passion started in the 60s when Jessica’s Great Grandfather, Iredale Edgar, purchased a Trokart and began racing at Haverigg Airfield. 

Both of her grandparents, Terry and Winnie, were karting champions. Terry represented Britain in the 1974 and 1975 world championship events at Estoril (Portugal) and Paul Ricard (France). Jason, Jessica’s father, and her uncle Justin, were Super 1 champions. 

Jessica’s cousin, Jonny, is her biggest inspiration. “I have followed Jonny’s whole career. From when he started karting and now he is in F3.”

Jonny Edgar is the holder of three British Open titles as a cadet and became the 2015 Little Green Man champion. Currently, he is a driver for MP Motorsport in the FIA Formula 3 Championship. 

Edgar entered karting very young. “I was 4 years old. It was through my family: my grandfather, my father, my uncle and my cousin Jonny were in it. So ever since, I’ve wanted to have a go ever since.” At the age of six she entered the Bambino karting in England. 

It was not until 2018 when she stepped up by entering the ranks of X30 Mini racing. She secured a 5th position in the LGM Championship that year after good performances at PF, Forest Edge, Whilton Mill and Glan Y’ Gors. 

One year later, in 2019, she secured a second place finish at the Kartmasters Grand Prix, getting a direct ticket to Le Mans for the X30 World Finals. That same year she took part in the FIA Motorsport Games in the Karting Slalom Cup. 

Covid-19 made her miss the 2020 season but she returned to karting in 2021. She finished thirteenth in the X30 Junior category of the British championship. 

In 2022 Edgar’s career took another turn, she moved from karting to a single-seater. “It was a big step and a big learning path but I really enjoyed it and really learned a lot during it.”

The changes in the driving style from a karting to a car took her time to adapt. “I was just used to karting and I did it for so long. Cars were a weird start, but I really enjoy them now.”

The past season, the Brit competed in the GB4 championship for Fortec Motorsport. She got a podium at Oulton Park and finished in the top-10 in most of the 24 races of the championship. Edgar finished seventh in the overall standings.  

Finding sponsors to support Edgar’s motor racing career is one of the obstacles that she has to keep fighting against. “It is quite difficult at the moment but I’m still working on it and hopefully we can get some.”

This has not stopped her from pushing. “Everyone struggles with different parts. You need to move on with them and get it solved.”

The failure of the W Series didn’t stop the FIA and F1 to step in and create the F1 Academy, an all-women championship. “F1 is putting a bit of money into it. This shows that there is room for the series and it could go for a long time.“

The goal remains the same. “Race with the boys in the future.”

The mission of the F1 Academy is raising female athletes in motorsports by providing more training and track time to achieve the roots of F1. “This brings us experience in European tracks and in Austin as well. I would love to move to F3, and F2.”

Rodin Carlin is Edgar’s team for this new chapter in the F1 Academy. “They have a lot of experience in many single-seaters categories, for me it is an amazing experience.”

The British manufacturer is an old friend of the family. “My cousin Jonny was also with them in F3. We have a good chance of doing really well this year.”

Edgar is a very young driver with a long way to go, and Rodin Carlin is helping her to find the best version of herself. “I feel part of them. Everything that they do is really professional and organised. They are a really good team.”

They keep working on the performance to get ready for the season. “I don’t have as much experience as other drivers. We are working on some testing, and being faster. When it comes to the first race I will be fast enough to compete and win.”

The perception of females in the context of motor sports is still not frequent. “When I was karting there were no girls, and now when I go watch my brother there are many more girls. It is really good to see.”

A lot of people still have an old mindset. “Girls aren’t as good as boys.” Women have proven that they can be as competitive as men. “I think we just need that step to show that there are girls good enough.”

Edgar grew up being the only girl on the track. “I just got used to it. It was always boys, there were any girls around.”

Other drivers treated her differently based on her gender. “Boys didn’t like me being there with them. It was a bit tougher for me to do well, and get knocked off. They were more aggressive with me than with another boy on the track.”

Edgar never let this affect her, on the contrary, it helped her to build a mindset and become the driver that she is today. “Now, I stand up on the track and be like I am better than you, I need to beat you. It made me more determined. I have the right to be here.”