Hello everyone, Fred here!
It has been a hectic start to 2024 for myself and the team, but I wanted to check in and let you all know what I have been up to since the start of the year.
Write, Said Fred: Vesti’s First 2024 Update
From the moment the sim work started in mid-January, it has been intense. There has been a lot to juggle, but I am relishing the challenge and am really enjoying getting stuck in with the team. How often do you get to work with and learn from the best engineers in Formula One?
Sitting in a dark room for the whole day with no margin for error is not always the nicest experience, particularly when you are pushing yourself so much mentally and physically, but working for a team that is so dedicated and motivated to improve really drives you on. I am really growing from the whole experience.
As a reserve driver, you need to be fit and ready at all times. That includes staying up to date with everything the team is doing. In Japan for example, I followed every meeting - even though I was at home in the UK! You never know how important that information might be if I jump into the car in future.
Of course, I think we can all agree that being at the track is much more fun, though, and being in the garage in Australia and China has really helped me.
Seeing how Lewis and George - two of the best drivers in the world - push themselves in the car, communicate with their engineers, and prepare themselves mentally and physically for each session is something I have really taken on board as I look to make steps in my own career.
The biggest difference I have felt is the constant demand that the whole team is under. The F1 schedule is so much bigger than what I am used to, and it is a big jump from F2. Seeing how they deal with that has also been a key learning for me.
In terms of my own schedule, I am balancing my reserve driver role with the European Le Mans Series (ELMS for short!) this season. It feels so good to be racing something! Should I need to jump into W15 I do not know how ready I would be if I had not driven a car all year.
The LMP2 car I drive is a bit slower than F2, but faster than F3. It is fun to be pushing myself in all areas, against some really strong competition. The aero on these cars works differently to in F1 so I am learning to adapt my driving style for that.
It is also more sensitive to all the inputs than I was expecting, so that was a bit of a shock when I first got behind the wheel.
I just see that as another positive challenge. I can develop my skills driving a different car, at different tracks, and in different conditions. I love learning, so that is why the ELMS move has been so motivating for me.
It is a different stage to the one I have been used to, but I can challenge myself to improve and grow. My goal is to enter Formula One, and this is a great training ground.
I'm enjoying getting stuck in and learning from the best engineers in Formula One!
Fred
Speaking of training, a new schedule has meant new goals for me this year. I am pushing my overall fitness a lot more. My travel has reduced, so that means I can work harder in the gym and spend more time running, and on the bike. I love having that opportunity to move my boundaries a bit further and explore new potential.
When I do get some time to myself, I have headed home to Denmark to spend time with my family, which I have really enjoyed.
To be honest, even when I am not working, I find it hard to stay away from racing! I am on my home simulator a LOT! It probably explains how I ended up taking part in the iRacing Daytona 24 with the team in January. That was a super cool experience, challenging myself against some of the best sim racers on the planet.
That is all for now, it promises to be a busy few months heading towards the summer, but that is what we racing drivers love. Cannot wait to tell you all about what I get up to.
Talk soon,
Fred.
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