Esmee Hawkey is preparing for her first full season in the Kick Start Energy Ginetta Junior championship.

Hawkey made her debut in the final three rounds of last season’s championship with AmD Essex having tested the Ginetta throughout the season.

However for 2015, Esmee will join forces with JHR Developments as she targets a successful first full season in the series.

Speaking about the opportunity, Hawkey said: “I can’t wait to get back in my new race car, I am really looking forward to working with JHR this season, to run at the front and fight for the rookie cup.

“A big thank you to AmD for their preparation last year, I hope to continue the association and look forward to taking up their offer of a test in their Touring Car at a later stage.”

Graduating from a strong karting career, Esmee was crowned vice-champion in Easykart Junior in 2014, before she went on to enjoy an impressive performance in the Easykart World finals in Italy last October.

Not only that, but Hawkey was part of Team LNT’s winning line-up at the Henry Surtees Foundation Brooklands Team Challenge in July 2014, as she joined former Ginetta Junior frontrunners Charlie Robertson, James Kellett and Jamie Chadwick in the Ginetta factory entered team.

Steven Hunter, Team Principal at JHR Developments added: “Esmee is working hard with the team and we have already seen a substantial improvement over the first couple of tests. I’m sure she will surprise people in the season ahead, and we are really pleased to have her on the ZIP/JHR driver developments programme.”