Young single-seater hotshot Aidan Read has made an immediate impact on the Formula Masters China Series (FMCS) and currently lies fourth in the Drivers’ standings after three rounds, and the Australian reflects on what has been a positive, yet enlightening start to the season.
After Read’s motorsports career took off at the age of 10, with a 3 year stint in Australian karting, he begun climbing the open wheel ladder, with success in the West Australian Formula Vee championship in 2014, and now a full commitment to the 2015 Formula Masters China Series with the highly competitive Eurasia Motorsport team.
Following a highly successful pre-season test at Malaysia’s Sepang International Circuit, thunderclouds and a torrential downpour were a precursor to the 2015 season’s first race. Read headed into an unknown and did well to negotiate his way round the 3.45mile circuit, as others lay by the wayside to cross the line in a highly impressive fourth position, narrowly missing out on a debut podium.
In the weekend’s following two races Read continued to show his true talent, which had previously earned him both the State and Club Championship runner-up trophies for his impressive efforts in last season’s Formula Vee 1200 campaign, storming to back-to-back podiums to conclude the weekend third in the Drivers’ standings.
“I definitely knew I had a team around me that was capable of securing great results and I knew that I could continue that trend,” said Read. “My first outing in the FMCS in last season’s final round at Shanghai was certainly an eye-opener, so I went into pre-season testing at Sepang knowing what to expect and what was required. We had three tests where we were able to get on top of the car and circuit, which is why I had such a strong weekend there in the first round.
“Sepang was definitely the best weekend so far this season in terms of results, as everything seemed to work. The series’ organisers introduced a new paddle-shift gearbox for the weekend, which all of us had to get used to during qualifying and the three races. We were quick to learn and get back into the rhythm shown in testing and implement it into the three races. I knew it was going to be physically and mentally draining in the heat, so it stocked up on fluids and energy, only for the heavens to open en route to the grid for race 1. It was my first time racing in the wet behind the wheel of the FMCS car, but once the red lights go out you forget about everything and are purely focused on the race itself.”
Read continued: “A pair of podiums in the first weekend was a result we were hoping for, it was a fantastic feeling and I was back on the plane to Perth a very happy man. It gave me great confidence and made me even more excited for the season ahead.”
With confidence high, Read returned to the circuit where he made his debut last season, the Shanghai International Circuit, and was once again back into a strong rhythm during free practice, setting times well within the top five with 4th and 2nd fastest times, before going on to record a hat-trick of top five finishes to further cement his third position in the Drivers’ standings.
It was in Penbay that Read endured a difficult weekend, recording his first DNF after an impact two laps from the end in the second of three races and relinquishing strong points to the championship leaders.
“We had a few gearbox issues in Free Practice and the off in race 2 left me quite shell shocked initially, but I was very happy to have recovered well with 5th place in the final race of the weekend” said Read. “Once I got back home I took the opportunity to prepare for the next series of races ahead, with time to put emphasis on physical training and focusing on the next race of the championship while on school holidays. I have been chatting with my engineer quite frequently to get back in the correct mindset and I’m eager to get back in the car for the second half of the season, which kicks off again with the KL Street Grand Prix in 2 weeks time.
“Before the season got underway, I didn’t set myself any targets. Instead, I was focused on my driving and doing the best job I could for both myself and the team, as this season was always going to be a steep learning curve. We have missed the feeling of being on the podium, so our aim is to get back there in the second half and show we have the pace and skills to challenge for outright wins.
Read concluded: “I am looking to retake third position in the Drivers’ standings as well as claw back points on the leaders. We have to look forward and put the car at the front. We have been concluding weekends with strong pace, but we have to make sure we can switch the car on from lap 1 for the remainder of the season. I’m constantly learning and feel as though I am a far better driver already after just three rounds. Now I will only look forward.”
For more information on Aidan Read and his racing activities, please visit the official www.aidanread.com.au website, ‘like’ his Facebook page or view content on his YouTube channel.