The power of visualisation, jogging in sweatpants and a hoodie in 40-degree heat, filming for an upcoming Netflix docuseries, and preparing for her driving test. Aston Martin Aramco F1 Academy driver Tina Hausmann talks progress and milestones, both in and out of the cockpit, how she's preparing for the most physically demanding round of the season, and why she will be fulfilling a dream when she takes to the track in Singapore this weekend.
Tina Hausmann's rookie year in F1 Academy continues this weekend as she gets to grips with the humidity and tight and twisty nature of Sinagpore's Marina Bay Street Circuit.
Another new experience as she continues her driver development with Aston Martin Aramco and PREMA, we caught up with her to hear how she's preparing for that challenge, as well as looking back on recent results in the series and what she's been up to away from the track.
You've now completed the European leg of the F1 Academy season with rounds in Barcelona and Zandvoort. How do you reflect on those weekends?
"The goal is always to get points at every race, so it was pleasing to do that in Barcelona. It was a tricky weekend because of the very high tyre degrdation but we managed it well as a team. Obviously, my ambition is to not only reach the points; I'm here to win or get on the podium, but I'm confident that will come.
"Step by step we're getting there. Things are coming together and I'm focusing on the journey and not too much on the results. I was a bit unlucky in Barcelona. In Race One, a screw got stuck between my rear left wheel rim and the brake calliper, which cost me almost a second a lap, so it was good to still get some points despite that.
"Then, in Zandvoort, I felt the results did not reflect our pace and performance. I was challenging for the top five in Qualifying but we had a late misunderstanding over tyre pressures.
"Qualifying did not accurately represent what we could have done that weekend which was tough, but I did my best in the position I was in. I pulled off some good overtakes and the race pace was very good. Zandvoort is known for being a circuit where it's very tricky to overtake so to finish one of the races in the points was pleasing.
"I look back on Zandvoort positively despite the setbacks. The performance over the weekend was very good and I know if I keep that up that the results will come."
I close my eyes and imagine being on track, taking every corner and really focusing on what the circuit requires, focusing on every detail.
What have you been working on lately to continue your development as a driver?
"I've been working on mental visualisation. I've done it in the past but I'm making a more of a conscious effort with it now and I've found it's really helping me.
"I sit down every morning and evening and visualise. I close my eyes and imagine being on track, taking every corner and really focusing on what the circuit requires, focusing on every detail.
"I also imagine the race start and even getting into the car with all the heat and the photographers around me. It's all part of priming yourself so that it doesn't feel like the first time when it comes to getting in the car in real life.
"It's really helped me get on the pace immediately, which is vital as we don't get much practice time before going into Qualifying and it's also helped me improve my focus."
Singapore is one of the most physically demanding places to race on the calendar. What have you been doing to prepare?
"I've put many hours in on the sim at PREMA to learn the track and I've been working hard in the gym as well.
"I've also been doing some heat acclimation training. I've been jogging for long periods in several layers of clothing, such as hoodies and sweatpants over the top of my racing underwear. The aim is to get super-hot and humid and replicate the conditions we'll face in Singapore, just so I'm as prepared as possible. I've been training in a room set to 40°C and 40 per cent humidity to get used to physical exertion in such conditions.
"It's been intense, but I'll feel the benefit once I'm driving in Singapore."
It's been a tough season at times but, as we said at the beginning of the year, I'm here to learn, I'm here to progress, and that's what I'm doing.
How are you feeling about racing on Singapore's streets?
"I'm feeling really confident. I'm not afraid of the walls; I'm aware of them and I know the risk, of course, but I'm looking forward to the challenge.
"The key to the weekend will be to build up and not push too soon. I'll push a bit more with every lap to find the limit, because if you push too hard, too soon, you'll hit the wall and your weekend is effectively over.
"I'm really looking forward to visiting the country. I went to Singapore on a family holiday in 2018 and we had a hotel overlooking the track; I remember saying to my parents that I wanted to race here, so this weekend will be a dream come true."
You're more than halfway through your maiden F1 Academy season. What's your assessment of your year so far?
"I've progressed a lot and developed the areas I need to be a very good racing driver.
"All those different areas are coming together and I'm connecting the dots. It's been a tough season at times but, as we said at the beginning of the year, I'm here to learn, I'm here to progress, and that's what I'm doing.
"I'm very ambitious so I have some mixed feelings about the season so far, but I've learned a lot – a crazy amount. Working with Aston Martin Aramco, being immersed in a Formula One environment and racing on the same circuits as F1, is a huge opportunity. I'm learning and taking so much from the experience."
You're set to feature in the F1 Academy docuseries, which will be aired on Netflix next year. How has filming for that been?
"It's been amazing. To think that I'll be able to watch myself on Netflix next year is crazy.
"I've enjoyed it. It's helped me be confident in front of the cameras and to speak in front of people. That's all part of learning as a driver, too, because you have so many media commitments."
You're taking your driving test in October. Are you nervous?
"Learning to drive has gone really well. As soon as I turned 17 years old, I was desperate to get on the road. I passed my theory exam first time and then I asked my dad if we could go out on the roads.
"As you'd expect for a racing driver, I was able to drive the car pretty easily! I love it, I'm super happy no matter what steering wheel I'm behind. I've had to learn all the rules and regulations on the road and hopefully I'll pass the practical exam in October.
"I think Netflix wants to film my test as well, so there will be some extra pressure, but it will be cool to have the freedom of driving whenever and wherever I want once I've passed. It will be another milestone for me in a year when I have achieved many."
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