QUEEN’S ROAD: Racing car driver Akhil Rabindra is excited ahead of the fourth race in the 2015 Duo BRDC Formula 4 Championship.
The 18-year-old, who is currently studying Sports Management at the University of Edinburgh, has already had a taste of success, having finished seventh, eighth and 10th in the first three races of the tournament.
With the fourth of the eight races to be held at Oulton Park on July 11 and 12, Akhil hopes to move up the standings and finish among the top five in his very his first competitive season in Europe.
City Express caught up with the young racing driver who was in town and spoke to him about the race and his plans for the future.
“The competition is very tough with drivers participating from many countries. This is my first season but I hope to figure among the top five in the end,” said Akhil.
He enjoyed an immensely successful 2014 campaign in the JK Tyre Racing India Series (Formula BMW), as he finished second in the standings with nine podiums and two race victories.
He also competed in selected Formula Masters China Series races and finished fourth in one of them.
“I got into motor sports at the age of 14. I have always loved cars. I started off with go-karting in 2010 and got into it very seriously. I was the only Indian who was part of the FIA Institute’s 2014 Young Driver Excellence Academy that helps drivers develop their careers in motor sports. I won the Asia-Pacific selection event to claim a place in the academy, which featured tuition from ex-Formula One driver Alex Wurz. That has stood me in good stead and I want to build upon it,” said the former student of Prakriya School on Sarjapur Road.
“I am in my first year of college. Once I finish, I want to make the best use of my qualifications and my knowledge of racing to make it to the top,” he added.
“Formula 1 is every racing driver’s dream. But for me, that is not all. I want to drive in the Endurance and GT events for car manufacturers and earn the status of a professional racing driver,” said Akhil.
Apart from his studies, racing and his training regimen, nothing else interests this determined youngster. “I engage in fitness training for about an hour every day. I also do a lot of exercises to enhance mental strength and reduce stress,” revealed Akhil.
With motor sports catching up like wild fire in the country, Akhil Rabindra provides an example worth emulating despite his young age. He is surely on the speedway to success.
Akhil Rabindra (18) hopes to finish in the top five and become a professional driver