Hawksworth finding happiness after IndyCar

Jack Hawksworth isn't opposed to the idea of continuing in open-wheel racing at some point in the future, but after a turbulent spell in the Verizon IndyCar Series, the Briton isn't rushing to return after finding something new – happiness and fulfillment – in sports car racing.

Hawksworth made the offseason switch from A.J Foyt Racing to the new factory-backed Lexus IMSA program with Michigan's 3GT Racing, and while zooming around Indianapolis Motor Speedway at 230 mph is no longer part of the driving experience, the rapid Briton says his thundering V8-powered coupe generates plenty of thrills.

"We will still have 180 miles an hour of craziness, so we are still going pretty fast," he said. "But what I love about racing is the competition side. You can be racing go karts, you can be racing Indy cars, Formula 1 cars, GT cars; whatever you are racing, if you have a good package and you are a competitive team and you are working towards getting those big results, that is what everybody loves.

"You love the competition side of it. I have enjoyed transitioning to a GT car. It has been a completely different driving style to what I am used to."

Hawksworth got to know the team behind 3GT while moonlighting in IMSA's PC class during his first stint in IndyCar. Stepping into the GT3-spec Lexus RC F required a greater adjustment period, but has also helped the 25-year-old to acquire new driving skills.

"The first time I got in it, it was an eye-opener," he said. "I have enjoyed the challenge of a brand-new car, brand-new style of driving. I've been able to make bigger leaps over the last couple of months in my driving for this particular car than, say, an open-wheel car, because I had done it for so long. I was always looking for 100th here or a fraction of this or refining a little bit of that.

"Whilst in the GT car, I came to it as a day-one beginner and over the last few tests I have been able to see bigger gains in my driving than I would have, had I just been racing the open-wheel car. So I have enjoyed that side of it."

Starting 20th in class, Hawksworth and his teammates will have plenty of work to do if they want to move the No. 15 RC F will up the running order. If his memorable performances in junior open-wheel racing suggest what's to come, Hawksworth will find plenty of the joy that was missing in IndyCar. A chance to show his fighting spirit is, after all, exactly what led Hawksworth to IMSA.