Feature
INTRODUCING CARRIE SCHREINER: The Kick Sauber driver on 24-hour races, Gossip Girl and the track she loves and hates
Carrie Schreiner is back for more in her second F1 ACADEMY campaign so it’s time to sit down with the Kick Sauber racer and get to know her better.
Revealing more about her life away from the F1 ACADEMY paddock, the German races delves into her journey and how she was just pipped to the post by another driver before the season had started.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN RACING FOR?
“I started racing in 2010, so nearly 15 years now. My dad was a racing driver and I grew up on racetracks, we were always travelling with him. I started to drive really early on so many different vehicles in the paddock — bicycle, motorbike, electric Ferrari — I really liked it a lot. Then at one point, I started karting and it was the first sport where I was really into it.
“Normally, it was not my intention to come back into single seaters because it didn’t make sense. But when ART Grand Prix asked me if I wanted to drive in F1 ACADEMY and for a top team like ART, I had to do it.”
IF YOU COULD HAVE ONLY ONE FOOD FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
“Pasta! I think every kind of pasta, I love it and sushi of course, sushi and pasta.”
WHERE IS YOUR FAVOURITE CIRCUIT AND WHY?
“It’s the Nürburgring – Nordschleife because it’s not comparable with anything else. I hate it and I love it! I hate it because the weather is really difficult sometimes and because it's so long in some spots, it's completely dry and suddenly, it could be wet so that's difficult. Everything is fine and I think it’s the best track in the world.
“I’ve already driven more long-distance races than sprint races, so I’m more used to that (driving in a 24-hour race). You prepare for it, you train for it and you get used to it if you do it more often. I think the longest I’ve been in the car was three hours for one stint, then refuelling and then another stint again.”
IF YOU HAD TO HAVE A CO-DRIVER, WHO WOULD YOU PICK AND WHY?
“I’d have my boyfriend. We drive together already as a team, which was quite good. It’s really cool because you have such a different connection because you’re living together, you go to the track and then you drive together.”
HOW DO YOU RELAX WHEN YOU’RE NOT RACING?
“Just chilling, watching Netflix or going to the spa. I like to watch some girly things like Gossip Girl, something like that.”
WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
“I think my biggest fear is losing my family.”
WHAT’S YOUR RACING NUMBER THIS YEAR AND WHY DID YOU PICK IT?
“My racing number is 15. I don't have a special connection to the number because normally I'm eight. That's been my lucky number since the beginning, but it was already taken by Hamda (Al Qubaisi). Last year I had eight. It’s a shame because I have had a connection to this number for many years, but it's okay.”
WHAT’S THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER SO FAR?
“That’s difficult, I’ve had many highlights. I’ve won a couple of Championships in GTs, I’ve had some really, really good races driving around the Nürburgring – Nordschleife for a couple of years now in the 24-hour race. That’s one of the highlights, but to get a contract with an F1 team (Kick Sauber) is definitely one of them. It’s nice because the car is really bright and green, I like the colours and I’m also really proud to drive for an F1 team.”
READ MORE: Lovinfosse says injury setback cost her shot at top 5 finishes in Barcelona
IS THERE ONE RACE/SERIES YOU’D LOVE TO COMPETE IN?
“Le Mans. I don’t know exactly because I’ve never been there. But when I just imagine driving or playing a 24-hour race game, just to be there is such a special atmosphere because it’s so different to all the other races and places.”
WHAT IS YOUR AMBITION FOR THE 2024 SEASON?
“I hope to be more at the front in the Standings and to score a couple of top five results, that would be amazing.”