Until shortly before the start of the season, I didn’t even know I would be racing in Jeddah. Here I talk about how it went, what I had set out to achieve and what I take away from my first four races in formula 4.
How it all started
Marlon, how last-minute was your start in F4 Saudi Arabia?
Very last-minute! The decision that I could race was made on Tuesday evening. On Wednesday I was already on a plane to Valencia to get familiar with the track on the simulator. I was back home at midnight on Friday, and on Sunday at noon I flew to Jeddah.
How did you prepare for the track?
I only knew the Jeddah Corniche Circuit from the simulator and from watching f1 races. Before that, I only had 16 days of testing in a single-seater car before my first race – everything else, I learned on site.
Expectations
What was your goal when you flew to Jeddah?
My goal was to finish in the top five and collect as much experience as possible. That we ended up with two wins, three pole positions and four podiums in four races – and that I’m now leading the championship and the rookie standings – makes me incredibly happy. I felt strong and I knew that I will be very fast, but I didn’t expect such a strong performance myself as I am still a rookie.
The races
In the fourth race, a safety car period may have cost you the win. Does that annoy you
Of course i feel gutted. We had managed to build a very strong gap to P2 before the safety car, wich brought all cars back into play. After the restart we struggled a bit with the car to find the right pace again. Although we still finished on the Podium and scored valuable points for the championship, we will have to look into the data as a team to prevent these kind of situations.
How important is strong competition to you?
Very important. I’m glad to have a strong field and strong rivals. The best way you learn is by surrounding yourself with drivers that might have more experience than you or that are on a very similar level to you. It is important to also learn from them.
Team, support and fans
Who was with you in Jeddah?
Many drivers travel with a big entourage – parents, coach, physiotherapist, manager. I flew to Jeddah with Kilian, he used to be my karting coach and is now supporting and helping me everywhere I go. At midnight before my very first race, my mum surprised me by coming to Jeddah. That was a wonderful moment. She was there for the first two races to watch and support me.
How was working with the team?
Great. Me, my race engineer and the mechanics from Wrap&Fly worked very closely to maximize every session. We also had excellent support from the organizers.
How did the fans react?
I was surprised by the incredible support of the fans cheering me on. It was very motivating seeing so many people that came to see the race. I also got many supportive messages from friends, supporters, and highly regarded people from motorsport.
Everyday life between school and the race track
What does your everyday life look like alongside racing?
Quite complex. I go to a regular school – not an online school. So I know what it means to deal with stress, pressure and a double workload. The fact that I speak three languages fluently not only helps me in school, but also in presentations and events. Of course sometimes, I wish I could sleep a bit longer in the morning, I am more of a night owl, but school starts earlier, so there is no choice.
How do you train?
I train every day: I go running, go to the gym and work on my fitness. I come from a very sporty family. We do a lot of skiing together in winter and all kinds of sports out in nature. It`s important to be consistent and disciplined - after the fourth race on Thursday, I flew home that same night – and right afterwards I was back in the gym.
What’s next
What comes next?
Keep training and keep working on myself. I’m looking forward to every opportunity to get back in the car.
Anything else you’d like to say?
Yes – a big thank you to everyone who supports me on this journey and believes in me!
