Hawksworth on “Super Exciting” Decade of Lexus RC F GT3

Jack Hawksworth said it’s been a “super exciting” decade-long run with the Lexus RC F GT3, as the car enters its final IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship outing in today’s season-ending Motul Petit Le Mans.

Hawksworth claimed 13 of the car’s 17 wins in WeatherTech Championship competition, with accomplishments for the program across ten seasons including class victories in the 2022 Petit Le Mans, 2024 Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring win and the 2023 GTD Pro championship.

The GR GT3 will replace the RC F GT3 for the 2027 season and beyond, which also will mark the end of the Lexus brand in IMSA.

Hawksworth, who has been part of the Lexus program from Day 1, said he’s been grateful to have been a part of the car’s entire lifespan.

“It’s certainly been a super exciting last ten years,” Hawksworth told Sportscar365. “The RC F has been a great car.

“We’ve won championships in it, we’ve won big races in it, we won [Petit Le Mans] in it. So it’s really, really cool to be a part of it for so long. And I’m looking forward to having a great weekend.”

The 35-year old British driver has also been with Lexus through the program’s team change from 3GT Racing to Vasser Sullivan in 2019.

Hawksworth said the evolution of the car’s performance is what he’s most proud of.

“If you look at the first few seasons with the RC F, it was very difficult for us to even finish an endurance race, let alone compete for the win in an endurance race,” he said.

“We ticked all the boxes almost, so to see the progress and know that it all comes down to that sort of team.

“It comes down to TRD, Lexus, everybody finding a way to make this RC F GT3 car, which was a bit of a Frankenstein GT when it came out, find a way for it to be competitive and turn it into a race-winning car.”

Hawksworth said he’s hoping to end the program with another Petit Le Mans class win, in either the GTD Pro or GTD ranks.

“At the minute, we’re just really focused on this race and trying to get the best result we possibly can,” he said.

“If we could finish this season with a really strong result, preferably a win, then we will be happy and look forward to moving on.

“[Strategy] has always been, for me, one of the strengths of our team. I think, strategically, we can make good decisions.

“I know we’re good on pit lane, and we’ve done it before at this race. If we can put ourselves in a good position for the last two or three hours of the race, and there might be some weather as well, I feel like we can finish on a high here.”

Hawksworth has already scored two class victories in the car’s final season at the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen and Chevrolet Grand Prix at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park, both with longtime co-driver Ben Barnicoat.

“It’s pretty amazing,” said Hawksworth. “It’s the start of a new chapter next year, and this one’s been a cool one.

“It’s been successful, but I can’t wait for you all to see it in the future. I think that when we bring this car to the racetrack, it will certainly be exciting.

“Personally, having driven it, I’m excited about it. So if other people are excited about it, then I guess that can only be a good thing.”