New Alipore boy Arya Singh is all of 16. He seems shy at first, but once you get him talking about motor sports, he oozes rare confidence. Racing has changed him he says and has filled him with conviction that This Is It. t2 caught up with Arya a couple of days after he won his first national title in Chennai.
Congratulations Arya!
Thank you! This is my first national championship win. It went really well. I led this MRF National Racing Championship from the first round to the last. It started in February and ended last weekend, in Chennai. I won the lgb1300 category. I also won the rookie and the students’ cup. It’s been a great season! Winning and driving against the best drivers from India is special. I couldn’t celebrate much though because I plunged straight into the 1600 category. I finished overall fourth in the 1600 category but in the last round, in all three races I got podiums… third, third and second. It’s been an amazing season, great for my confidence. I have the pace to win in 1600 as well now!
What’s your first memory of a car?
My dad (a car financier) loves Formula 1. He probably wanted to be a rally driver and same for my grandfather. But then motor sports is a tough business to get into and even tougher to stay there. He got me interested in motor sports. I have been watching Formula 1 races with him since I was a kid. My dad was a huge Michael Schumacher supporter. So, whichever red car I would see, for me that was the fastest car. We were told Ferrari was the best car in the world. Whenever dad would go out for a drive, I would want to go with him. He would put me on his lap and ask me to steer. But then I got fat and I could no longer sit on his lap! (Laughs)
When I was 11, I started following motor sports seriously… following Formula 1 every weekend, getting to know all the main drivers and teams. I started pushing my parents to get me into motor sports when I was 13-14. Soon I started testing go-karts and then I had less than half a season (2015) in karting, which wasn’t the best… I just scored one point, but it was a learning curve. Eventually we started testing Formula cars and I was much faster there. So, it was a better experience for me. Then 2016 onwards it was a massive ride… driving Formula cars, starting out, finishing last but then coming back on top, I have progressed a lot in one year. I started with 90 horsepower cars. Now I am somewhere around BMWs, 160 horsepower.
Didn’t you think twice before taking up motor sports seriously?
At certain points I wanted to be a cricketer, sometimes a footballer… but after a point, I couldn’t get much better. I considered academics too which was a terrible choice! (Laughs) Yes, I was a kid, but I dreamt big. By Class VI, I basically freaked out when I saw these Formula 1 racers have been at it since they were six or seven. I thought I had no chance because I didn’t see myself starting racing anytime soon. I thought I could probably be a race engineer.
I watched Speed Racer (a 2008 film directed by Lana Wachowski and Lilly Wachowski) a couple of times, which really enthused me. Rush (a 2013 film starring Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Bruhl) really pushed me towards Formula 1. From then on, I haven’t looked back.
Where did you start?
At first we didn’t know how to start. I always had this confidence that I could do something in the world of motor sports. My sister (Shruti) got it all started for me. Motor sports is too expensive. Two days of testing and a go-kart will cost you around Rs 30,000, plus the travel expenses. I don’t think Calcutta has any infrastructure for professionals. I wish there was something in the city. My dad agreed to take me testing once. And then it hit him! He became more determined than me to make me a world champion after that. Now, it’s his dream to watch me as a Formula 1 racer!
We contacted Meco Motorsports and entered the training programme. This was in Hyderabad. Since I was a newcomer, all I had to do was drive down straight, take a U-turn and go back again. We were taught to brake, steer and throttle.
There is a race track in Chennai where we race most of the time. There is a race track (Kari Motor Speedway) in Coimbatore where I have driven the most. We have testing sessions by different teams. We go there, drive and learn. Recently, I was also in Italy to train in Magione. I wanted international exposure and Italy is considered to be the home of motor sports. Ferrari, the greatest team, is from Italy.
Weren’t you or your parents scared about accidents?
One of my friends had a massive crash… I was actually scared after that, but then I went on to get my first podium in that race. I have also had crashes. But I guess that makes it interesting. It is a risky business. For me consistency is key. Reflexes are a major part and you have to keep calm. I have won races only because I was calm.
How are you juggling your studies with motor sports?
That is a big issue, but balance is the key. When I am not driving, I go to school. This is something my parents told me I have to decide. Before it was studies and motor sports. Now after my wins last year, dad had it clear in his mind that first it was motor sports and then studies. My school [The Heritage School] is very supportive. I have had breakdowns in motor sports when I started. My classmates, friends… they have really held me together.
It also demands a lot of fitness…
For motor sports, you have to be extremely fit. It is the most physically demanding sport in the world. In one race a Formula 1 driver loses around four kilos because of water loss. The seat is made for us. There is no space to move around.
Before karting, I was really fat. Strength is of utmost importance. I went to a gym for the first time for motor sports. I started going to this gym in Chennai… Quantum Leap Sports Performance. Narain Karthikeyan and Karun Chandhok have all been trained in that gym by Sir Ramji Srinivasan, former fitness trainer of the Indian cricket team. The first day I went there, I realised what fitness for motor sports demanded. I trained there for four-five days and then they emailed me exercise and diet charts. I benefited when I was in Italy. I was able to go for 20-30 laps and that too at race pace. In Calcutta, I train at Rush Fitness. Core strength is most important. I have been told to meditate a lot, but I am really too impatient to do that.
Your dream is to be in a Formula 1 car, how is that going to happen?
Formula 3 to Formula 2 is going to be a major step forward. I am driving at 160 horsepower and I think it is mind-blowing. Formula 1 cars have 1,000-plus horsepower. It’s terrifying but it’s fun at the same time!
I dream to drive with Ferrari, but I think it is impossible to debut with Ferrari! I want to be there and win. Max Verstappen [Belgian-Dutch driver] made his debut at the age of 17. The talent he has in unbelievable. He is my mom’s favourite race car driver. I want to be there when I am 19, but I am giving myself time till 22.
Even if I don’t make it to Formula 1, I want to take part in 24 Hours of Le Mans, which is the most physically demanding, the most terrifying race ever. Or Indianapolis 500 or rallying…. I want to make racing a career. Formula 1 is a dream, but you need to have an alternative as well.
Saionee Chakraborty
