When ambitions are high, the preparations must be equally extensive. Therefore, STEP Motorsport began the season in Nordic 4 with four training days at Circuito de Calafat in Spain.
The days were used to shake off the winter months’ dust and gain hundreds of kilometers of experience with the fast formula cars. For Mathias Bjerre Jakobsen and Lærke Rønn Sørensen, it was a reunion with the cars, and the joy of seeing them again was great after about five months without motorsport.
-It has really been good to get back behind the wheel again. Once the rhythm returned to my body, I drove a lot of good kilometers and gained new experiences with the car. The track is super fun and reminds me quite a bit of the Danish tracks, so it will make a big difference for my season, says Mathias Bjerre Jakobsen, who is supported by Lærke Rønn Sørensen, who, with half a season under her belt, was also looking forward to being back in the racing suit:
-It has been really good to get so many laps in the car, as there has been a great opportunity to develop my driving technique over the days. The team has welcomed me very well and helped me settle in, so it has been great! It doesn’t hurt that we’ve had a bit of warmth over the last few days, as it is good preparation for the summer races in the season, she says.
Sebastian Bach is replacing go-karts with formula cars and Nordic 4 this season. Despite a couple of test days last year, the trip to Calafat was the northern Jutlander’s first real taste of the year’s challenges, and after four days in the hot seat, the conclusion is clear:
-I think it has been some great days with lots of laps and a good focus on getting to know the car. After the test, I feel comfortable in the car, so now I look forward to continuing my development back home in Denmark, says Sebastian Bach.
Emily Cotty is, like Sebastian Bach, new to formula cars, but she has kept herself warm over the winter with go-kart training. She too felt at home in STEP Motorsport’s Nordic 4 racer and now looks forward to a strong debut season on the Danish and Swedish racetracks.
Not Just Laps on the Track
As a driver in STEP Motorsport, it’s not just laps on the track that count. Collaboration, technical understanding, and media training are also important elements behind a successful racing driver. Therefore, time was also spent working on those areas during the days.
-Our drivers all have an ambition to pursue their sport at a high level and eventually create a career as race car drivers. Therefore, we have spent time giving them important knowledge about car setup and the physics behind it, so they become better at providing feedback to the mechanics, explains team manager Morten Dons, who also scheduled physical training and various media tasks for the week.
However, it was far from hard and demanding training. On Wednesday evening, there was a communal dinner for all participants, and during the days, there was a good atmosphere.
-The most important thing is, of course, that all four drivers have had some educational days and have found both speed and understanding of the cars. We are really satisfied with that part and their efforts in general. We have a long season ahead of us, so I am also glad that both the drivers and the parents have gotten to know each other and the team during the trip. I believe that will give us a strong start to the season when we get to the first race, says Morten Dons.
A Solid Test Driver
STEP Motorsport’s test and reserve driver, Sebastian Schou, was also present in Spain, where he completed a good number of laps and showed great potential:
-I believe Sebastian Schou surprised some—perhaps even himself. He learns quickly and showed really good car control and understanding of the vehicle. There’s no doubt he can become a really solid racing driver if he just gets the opportunity to pursue his ambitions, says Morten Dons.
Before the season in Denmark starts on the last weekend in April, several test days are planned on the Danish tracks so that STEP talents are maximally prepared for the season.
