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INTRODUCING HAMDA AL QUBAISI: The Red Bull Racing driver on karting shootouts, backflip skills and special socks
Hamda Al Qubaisi is gearing up to go testing on home soil this weekend as F1 ACADEMY heads to the Yas Marina Circuit. The track might be her canvas, but before she can paint it purple, we caught up with the Red Bull Racing driver to ask her some very important questions.
From writing her name into Formula 4 history to the story behind her lucky numbers, the Emirati racer delves into all you need to know about her.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN RACING FOR?
“Since I was 12 years old. I’m 22 now, so 10 years. Did I do the maths right? (laughs)”
DO YOU REMEMBER THE MOMENT YOU FIRST WANTED TO BE A PROFESSIONAL RACER?
“It was very strange. I went to a rental karting race and it was a shootout to get into professional karting. It went really went. I was very nervous, I remember it was only rental karts but I felt like I needed to perform, I needed to do well.
“My sister, at the time she was already racing in professional karting, so I had that added pressure. I really wanted to join her on the grid. I just remember the feeling of being nervous and scared, but in the end, I was able to make it out of the shootout.”
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE CHEAT MEAL?
“Tiramisu, I love tiramisu! We also have a special food in the Arab world, it’s called Om Ali. I don’t know if you’ve heard of it, but it’s so good, you should try it.”
WHAT DOES RACING FEEL LIKE TO YOU?
“It’s like an art. Everything becomes slow motion, fast corners become slow. The adrenaline rush that you get when you’re driving, how you have to be so focused to make sure you get your braking points right and how fast you are through the corners, it’s just an amazing feeling. You don’t really get this anywhere else, so motorsport is something really different and special.”
DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE MOVIE OR TV SERIES?
“Mulan. That’s my favourite movie of all time — the first one, the animated one.”
WHAT’S THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER SO FAR?
“The highlight of my career would be in Italian F4 in 2021, I got the podium in Misano. I was the first female to do it and to this day, I’m still the only female who has ever done it and I think it’s the biggest achievement for me to date.”
WHAT THREE WORDS WOULD YOU USE TO DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
“Determined, fun and outgoing.”
WHERE IS YOUR FAVOURITE CIRCUIT AND WHY?
“It’s difficult because I like a lot of tracks, but I would say my home track — the Yas Marina Circuit. I grew up there, it was the first track that I actually watched racing at and got the passion for the sport.
“I feel amazing (about racing there) because last year we didn’t have it on the calendar. So, to have it this year and to be able to race in front of my home crowd, it’s an amazing feeling. I know that a lot of people will come to support me there, so I’m excited for it.”
WHAT’S YOUR RACING NUMBER THIS YEAR AND WHY DID YOU PICK IT?
“It’s #8. I initially wanted #88, but my sister stole it! I was born on August 8th, so 8-8. I used that number and it’s been my lucky number for a while, I’d been using it in karting as well. If someone had taken #8 and my sister had #88, I would have been so sad because I really need the number 8.”
DESCRIBE YOUR PRE-RACE RITUAL AND DO YOU HAVE ANY SUPERSTITIONS?
“Normally, I would listen to a lot of upbeat music so I could get that motivation and get that pump in, and so I’m not sleepy for the start. I would do a lot of reaction practices and also, a warm-up.
READ MORE: F1 EXPLAINS PODCAST: Ask an F1 ACADEMY driver – with Hamda and Amna Al Qubaisi
“For superstitions, sometimes I sleep on the same side of the bed. There are special socks that I used for racing and I like to use the same ones. I have multiple, but it’s a different material and I like that material. Normally, when they’re new, they’re a bit stiff and I prefer it when it’s been worn for a while and washed. Weirdly enough, there are Nomex pants that I have been using for a while and I have two of them, but I don’t like using anything but those ones.”
WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER HAD?
“Best advice probably would be to not doubt myself because I feel doubts kind of kill not just the results, but also your potential on track. So, less doubts and try to do your best without focusing on what other people think of you.”
DO YOU HAVE ANY PARTY TRICKS OR HIDDEN TALENTS?
“I don’t know if it’s a hidden talent, but I did gymnastics for 11 years, so I can do a backflip with my hands, cartwheels and stuff like that.”
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE MOMENT IN F1 ACADEMY?
“There are so many moments to be honest, a lot of memorable things. On track, I would say Zandvoort last year was a really fun weekend and we did well as well as a team, so good vibes.”
WHAT WERE YOUR BEST AND WORST SUBJECTS IN SCHOOL?
“Maybe Arabic because I was always getting in trouble in that class, so Arabic was my worst subject. Favourite, I think physical education, that was fun.”
IF YOU HAD TO GO ON A ROAD TRIP WITH THREE DRIVERS FROM THE 2024 GRID, WHO WOULD YOU PICK AND WHY?
“I would take my teammates, Amna (Al Qubaisi) and Emely (De Heus), because they’re fun to be around. Someone that we click really well with, who would make the car ride fun? Probably Carrie (Schreiner), Carrie’s fun. Who’s driving? Definitely not Amna, I will drive and then we’ll have Carrie with the directions, I’ll trust her. Emely and Amna can be in the back having fun with the music."
WHAT IS YOUR AMBITION FOR THE REST OF THE 2024 SEASON?
“I've been having a good progression so far. So, just get in the car, do what I know best and the results will come on their own, and just enjoy it until the end of the year.”