Emma Kimilainen sets bar high for achieving results on and off Formula race track ahead of 2021 WSeries Championship. At pre-season testing at Angelsey circuit in Wales, May 17-21, Emma clocked up track-time without as much a nod to how much time has passed since last in F3 single-seater- which was racing WSeries Final Round at Brands Hatch on 10-11 August 2019.
Remarkable really- to go full 21 months with no F3 seat-time. Then, gear up to make most of opportunity to test, refine car settings all the while performing best of ability amongst 18 women drivers who remain equally competitive on the track, as well as hungry for racing.
Yet, when real-behind-scenes glimpse at how Emma is wired, what character make-up drives herself for perfection, knowledge is gained on how Emma has developed at professional and personal level. For certain, Emma pushes boundaries on how and what athletes focus on in preparation for racing in times of constant change within the sport.
Specifically, Emma has striking resilience to adapt to circumstances on the fly. Like, post crash at WSeries 2019 Opening Round at Hockenheim, Germany whereby Emma sustained injury which put her out of 3 Races. Coming back in Race 4 at Norisring, Emma finished 5th, took the win in Race 5 at Assen, and completed WSeries debut season with 2nd at Final Race at Brands Hatch. Overall placed 5th in Championship, having raced 3 of 6 Races.
Yet, Emma’s proof of determination doesn’t rest on maintaining status quo- even when results were great. There would always be more curve balls ahead, as was the case with COVID pandemic which threw WSeries 2020 season top of cancelled list. Disappointing- yes- time for re-set- yes, aiming for improved programme to sustain physical, as well as mental well being.
Emma: ‘I’ve learned that my job as an athlete is to train hard, but it’s also to rest hard. My handbrake is the right people around me with whom we have changed the idea of my training plan. We monitor my health, performance, sleep, stress and recovery. I’m also getting better and better at listening to my body’.
If one fact is certain in world of high performance Motorsport athletes, there remains fine line on how much physical preparation can max out balance of personal space- as in statement in recent survey on how female athletes are being affected by pressure to maintain social media presence.
Emma navigates her own domain on how much to push her physical limits all the while retaining balance between professional and personal needs. Such strategies are imperative to gain successful results on track as seen in Emma’s ability to adapt so quickly behind single-seater F3 at WSeries pre-season testing.
Emma: ‘The idea of the test week was to get all drivers prepared for the upcoming racing season. Get us comfortable and familiar with the car after a long time. So we did get to drive plenty in various conditions, which was awesome. There were also media and TV work we did and I was also getting familiar with the nature of Wales by running quite a lot in the near neighborhoods’.
‘I adapted really well and quickly despite the fact that the last time I drove a single seater was at Brands Hatch in August 2019. But being quick on pace has always been one of my strengths so I wasn’t worried about the little break I had from racing, I’ve experienced breaks before’.
Having taken broader approach on how Emma wanted to make improvements pre-racing, the Finnish driver, mother, and Media host stays ahead of the game. Re-fining strategies which incorporate programmes to enhance an athletes physical as well as health well being prompt awareness of an athletes work ethic, values, and core principles on what matters most. All these attributes are like gold for would be sponsors wanting high profile athletes to endorse, promote and gain exposure for Brand, product or service.
Ahead of 2021 WSeries Championship, which runs in co-junction with Formula One, Emma stands poised to deliver race performance like no other. At time of waiting, re-evaluating, and pressing pause button on agendas which were so altered through-out 2020, Emma Kimilainen offers insight on what future holds for athletes wanting to fulfill goals within Motorsport career.
Emma: ‘It’s amazing that W Series is competing alongside F1 races. We get to showcase our talent to the people at the highest level of Motorsport. I really hope it opens some doors for us drivers as there are many super talented ones in W Series’.
‘The grid this year is really competitive and the season is going to be mega. I’m really looking forward to enjoy it fully. What else could you do when racing professionally around the world in the best venues with talented people around you who share the same passion for Motorsport? I’m living my dream, my aim is to enjoy every second of it and bring the title home’.
Words: Sharon Cox.
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