Speeding It Up

It won’t be an exaggeration to say that motorsports don’t enjoy the same regard in India like cricket or football does. This fact, however, didn’t stop the young Bengaluru lad, Akhil Rabindra to hit the tracks and be the only Asian picked for the Aston Martin Racing Driver Academy last year. In an exclusive interview, he talks about his journey, inspiration and his future plans. Edited excerpts...

Let’s start from the beginning, what got you interested in racing in the first place?

Read FHM India in the digital libraryEvery issue, every shoot, on TCG Media.

I have always been passionate about cars and speed. There was an influence from my dad’s side of the family, since everyone is a car and bike enthusiast. Whenever we had family gatherings, we spoke about cars and bikes a lot. So, the personal interest coupled with the influence of my family is what got me interested in cars and driving.

You started racing in the go-karting arenas in Bengaluru. From there to being the only Asian picked for the Aston Martin Racing Driver Academy, how would you describe your journey?

The journey has been great so far. I have raced in multiple championships across the world, driven different cars, raced against people from all over the world and achieved many podium finishes. Go karting taught me the basics of racing and the dynamics of a race car and getting selected for the Aston Martin Racing Driver Academy (AMR) was something really special for me. We had specific training for on and off the track activities there, which further enhanced my driving abilities and presentation skills.

What is your take on the state of motorsport racing in India? Have things improved for the better since you started out?

I would say motorsport in India is definitely improving year on year. There are various championships which are being organised for newcomers to participate in. The number of go-karting tracks have increased since the time I started but we still have only 3 racing tracks here.

Various championships like junior formula championships, touring car championships and the latest being the X1 Racing League serve as a great opportunity for young and aspiring racers.

If you were to pick one moment in your career so far that you are extremely proud of, what would that be?

There have been several moments which have stood out for me. The most recent one being when my teammate and I achieved a second-place result at Brands Hatch. When I got handed over the car, I had about 33 minutes of driving to do and had two competitors right behind me. This was a test of my ability to be very consistent with lap times, make minimal mistakes and maintain my composure.

At a young age of 23, you have achieved what many just dream about pulling off. What has been the driving force that inspires you to keep moving forward?

I’m a car guy, you put me into a racecar and you’ll see the biggest smile on my face. I have a consistent desire to race, compete, win and learn. I have several motorsport goals which I still need to accomplish, and I am chasing those goals. I’ve certainly been blessed with great family support which has helped me further.

You stand at number 3 in the European Championship 2019 GT CARS Drivers per class, what is your advice to all the budding racing drivers in India?

My advice is very simple, focus on mastering your basics, don’t rush things and be process focused rather than being outcome oriented. One has to always remember that there are other racing drivers out there who want the exact same thing and are working very hard for it, so it’s all about making the best decisions possible with minimal mistakes. Follow the steps and processes and the results will follow.

Practice makes a man perfect. What special training do you follow to keep fit and perform well on the tracks?

Fitness and nutrition are a huge part of my life. My training varies at different times of the year but I am mainly focused on strength endurance as I need very trained and conditioned muscles to stay as fit for the last lap as I am during the first lap.

Since racing on the physical track is difficult, the next best option is to do simulator training. Sims are really good to practice new techniques before you reach the race weekend.

Your team, PROsport Performance bagged the first podium for the New Aston Martin Vantage GT4 and won the24H Series European GT at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps Belgium in 2019. It is safe to say that you have shown steady growth as a racer. Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

It was great to get the first ever podium for the brand new Aston Martin Vantage GT4 in the 12 hour race in Mugello. Some races are special, like those where history was being made.

I see myself being a factory driver in the next five years, which means that I will be employed by a car manufacturer to race for them and represent them in various championships. There are definitely a few steps between where I am and where I need to be but I’ll be working very hard to achieve my goals.

From the March 2020 issue of FHM India.