Over the past few weeks, and the next few days coming, I have plenty to work on in order to prepare myself as much as possible for the next race at the legendary Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium. Preparation for this event is even more important than normal as it is the longest circuit we race at, and I’ll only get three practice sessions before qualifying. Given I have never been there before, will certainly make for a challenge, but one I can’t wait to take head on.
As usual, physical preparation and gym work is essential to be able to perform well, so I have kept up my efforts in the gym to ensure I am as physically prepared as possible for the immense physical demands of racing a Formula 3 car. Such efforts include endurance cardio which is essential to be able to perform right to the end in the high-intensity 35-minute races, and neck-strength training in order to be able to cope with the high g-forces we will experience around such a fast and challenging circuit. During a visit this week to North Wales I even worked in to the program an hour run up a mountain!
With Spa being such a unique circuit as well, with a fast and flowing nature, and steep vertical inclines and declines, means that analysing videos of quick laps and previous races at the circuit will help immensely in preparing me for the sort of racing to expect in two weeks’ time. As always, I’ve been spending a lot of time with my Race Engineer Tom Toovey, and the Fortec Euroformula team and we work through detailed track notes which allow me to grasp the circuit in such a way that videos alone don’t allow.
