Track talk with Audi R8 LMS Cup race car driver Martin Rump

He may be the youngest driver racing in the Audi R8 LMS Cup, but 20-year old Estonian driver Martin Rump (MR) of Champion Racing Team is relishing the experience of going wheel to wheel with his seasoned peers. Ahead of qualifying for the weekend's first race, he tells us more about his approach to racing.

SGCM: Can you tell us more about how your racing journey began?

MR: I started karting at 10, where I showed some good, raw talent. I was Estonian champion in the first year I drove. My break came in 2010 where I won the Rotax Grand Finals (the Olympics of Go-Karting). That's when I made the transition from go-karts into Formula cars. In 2013, we secured our first full season racing Formula cars. I was vice-champion in my first two years racing the two different series in the Formula Renault 1.6.

SGCM: How did you then make the transition into racing in the Audi R8 LMS Cup?

MR: It was when we moved from Europe into Asia as we wanted to take a wider approach to racing and look for other opportunities in Asia. Winning the Formula Masters Series in China gave me the chance to step into a bigger car in a stronger field.

SGCM: How do you cope with the pressure of being the youngest driver?

MR: When I drive, it doesn't matter who I'm up against. I just want to be as quick as I can be and race as well as I can. I always want to keep developing both mentally and physically. I think it's better to race against stronger competition for it builds more character and it's more useful for development. If I can come through racing against quicker and more experienced drivers, it'll only make me stronger.

SGCM: What goes through your mind before the start of a race, as the lights turn from red to green?

MR: I get quite excited in the car and it can be difficult to keep calm. But I always find myself at my quickest when I'm at my calmest. I'll be taking deep breaths and telling myself what to do next so I don't have to worry. Driving is mostly about instinct.

SGCM: How do you prepare yourself before a race?

MR: What I usually do is analyse the race with my race engineer. Once we've discussed the necessary, I'll just let it be until race day.
SGCM: How do you like your cars set up?

MR: It really depends about how and what you will change to make the car most suitable for you to push it to the limits. For Sepang, I'd want to have the car really stable as it has really big tyre degradation and long corners where I'd want to keep the car on the limit without losing it.

SGCM: What do you love about the R8 LMS car that you're racing now?

MR: I love that it has more downforce than it did last year. It looks amazing, sounds amazing, and when I sit inside the cockpit, it's full of buttons - like a real race car. Audi has really done an amazing job developing this car. It's really quick.

SGCM: How would you describe yourself as a driver?

MR: I think I'm calm, but at the same time explosive when I need to be. I'm not pumped up or anything when I drive. I do things in a very cool manner and I try to stay focused and alert to make quick movements. Having to defend my position, or overtake - these are very explosive things. The rest of the time, I'm really calm.  

SGCM: What are some of the challenges you face as a driver?

MR: Every race will have its challenges. Even if I know that I'm the fastest, I will still have to keep pushing myself and come out a better driver. That's the ultimate challenge: To be as fast as possible, as skilful as possible, and as professional as possible.

SGCM: Could you share three tips with track enthusiasts looking to improve their performance?

MR: I think the first thing is to ensure that you're fit enough to drive because racing, in any category, can be physically demanding. The fitter you are, the more you can focus on driving and less about staying alive while driving. Secondly, try to stay calm and focused on driving instead of getting too stressed or hot in the head because that never helps. The last tip is to never give up. Setbacks are a natural way of developing. You cannot go straight to the top. If it wasn't tough, everyone would be doing it.