MB Partners are delighted to announce that Ignition and Esmee Hawkey have agreed a new partnership as the 23-year-old female racing star prepares for her Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) debut this weekend at Monza.

Using their knowledge and partnerships within motorsport to help businesses unlock their people performance, Ignition provides strategic leadership, team development and coaching support, taking companies from any industry behind the pit wall on a fully immersive learning experience. Combined with their professional expertise in HR with lessons from all across the sporting landscape to enrich company culture and efficiency, these programmes can be delivered to teams either via Zoom (E-Ignition) or at Motorsport venues such as Team HQ’s and circuits.
Having worked alongside the MB Partners team for a number of years, Ignition teams up with Esmee as she takes a huge next step in her career, progressing to the pinnacle of GT3 competition. Esmee’s participation in the DTM series was announced last week and ensured that the 2021 season will be the first time since 2012 that two female drivers are represented on the grid.
Grateful for Ignition's support, Hawkey is excited at working alongside their team as she excitedly takes the next step in her progressive junior career following her 2020 Porsche Carrera Cup Pro-Am championship success.
“I’m delighted to welcome Ignition to my family of partners as I take on everything that the DTM has to offer. Having met with Nick [Butcher] on a few occasions now, it has been great to understand how Ignition helps businesses and individuals utilise the lessons of professional motorsport to develop and improve.
“For me, this year is going to be a huge development exercise as I step up to the highest level so it is great to have a team of personal development specialists behind me all the way. Monza is only a matter of days away now and I cannot wait to get out there. I know I am jumping in at the deep end but I’ve got a fantastic team of people around me and can’t wait to get going.”
Founder and Director of Ignition, Nick Butcher is delighted to announce the new partnership with Esmee Hawkey with conversations having been ongoing for a while now and with the company continuing to enrich their work within the motorsport sector.
“We are really excited to be one of Esmee’s partners this year as she embarks on this amazing opportunity to race in DTM with some of the best drivers from around the world. As our business has grown over the last few years, we can relate to the sort of challenges she will face this season and look forward to working with her too as she aims to develop her skills both on and off track. We have no doubt she will do this as we followed her career for a number of seasons and she has really stood out as someone who recognises the same values and commitment as we have here at Ignition, when it comes to Unlocking People Performance.
“It’s impressive with how engaged she has been so far with what we do and this will only benefit not only us but our clients and partners. Ultimately, she is a great driver and we can’t wait to start working with her!”