Life in the fast lane
When Beitske Visser made her karting debut at the age of five; little did she know that she was on a path to become a groundbreaker and live life in the fast lane. She recorded continuous success in KZ2 and KZ1, and won the WSK Master Series championship title.
By 2012, it was time for the rising star to step up once again, this time seamlessly stepping into open wheeled cars in the ADAC Formel Masters series. Driving for the Lotus Motopark team in the Dallara, Beitske’s unwavering motivation and ambition saw her win two races in her first season. Her steady success caught Red Bull’s attention and she was invited to become the first female driver signed in the Red Bull Junior Team. We speak to Beitske on her journey.
Sharing how she took to racing, the 18-year-old Netherlander, who is the latest member of the Red Bull Junior Team, reveals, “My dad used to race in touring cars and when I was three, I saw a little kart and asked if I could drive it. At that point I was too young but on my fifth birthday, I got a kart. This was just the beginning of my journey, and I believe I have lot more to accomplish.”
Achieving so much at such a young age is no mean task. We ask her what keeps her going strong and she replies, “Every time I win a race, I want to win again and train harder for it. This constant pursuit of mine to outdo myself and my passion for the sport keeps me going.”
Is it tough to survive in a sport that’s dominated by men, we wonder and she states, “There have been a few women who have managed to leave their mark in the male-dominated world of Formula 1. I believe it is important that you are focused and quick to keep in the front and then your performance will speak for itself.”
A keen racing enthusiast, she has some favourites on the track too. “I do not have an idol in racing but I do respect Vettel and Raikonen as drivers for their pursuit of excellence. What Vettel and I have in common is that we are both extremely focused on wanting to win. It is what drives us. I follow all the races,” she confesses.
Talking about the team orders in racing, she explains, “When you talk about championships at the end of the season, team orders are a good idea and I understand they are important, but as a racer it’s sometime difficult to not pass someone when you are quicker.”
Beitske isn’t someone who has it all planned out. Ask her where she sees herself in the next few years and she states that she has only one goal, “For this year my only aim is to win the championship, all other plans will fall in after that.”
Post new comment