Growing up in a racing family and hoping to meet a four-time Champion: Emma Felbermayr’s racing idols

Emma Felbermayr became the 16th different driver to win in F1 ACADEMY when she scored victory in a brilliant last lap dash to the chequered flag in Montreal Race 2. But who shaped the Kick Sauber driver to get her to where she is now?

With motorsport in her blood, the Austrian shares who she’s looked up to on her journey to the grid and what lessons she’s taken from their experiences.

HER GRANDFATHER

“My first racing idol is my grandfather, Horst Felbermayr Sr, because he supported me quite a lot when I was younger, and he’s the reason I started. My brother started because he was gifted a go-kart by my grandfather, and I also started then.

“He raced in the 24 Hours of Le Mans together with my father. They raced in one car so it’s really nice. It was really cool to have a family with the same passion. I think this held us together quite nicely because we always had the same idea of what we wanted to do. My sister doesn’t race, so she’s a bit of a non-family member from this point of view (laughs). Otherwise, it’s amazing!

“He visited my go-kart racing but he died some years ago so he didn’t experience my high level of karting, just the hobby part. I know he’s looking down on me.”

SEBASTIAN VETTEL

“My second racing idol is Sebastian Vettel. When I was younger, I always looked up to him when he was racing with Ferrari for example, winning championships and just being the person he also is now.

“I think he is quite inspiring, and that’s also why I have the racing number five. I haven’t met him yet, I just have an autograph from him in my room so it’s really nice.

“I think the racing with other people is quite similar. They’re just driving at a higher speed in even faster cars so that’s quite different over one lap. Seeing the whole race is probably the thing I can look up to.”

SUSIE WOLFF

“My last racing idol is Susie Wolff. I always followed her career when she was driving an F1 car. It’s also quite inspiring to see a woman driving an F1 car, it’s of course my dream as well. It’s great to see that a woman has already achieved this.

“I met her for the first time in Shanghai and it was such a pleasure to speak with her. I had never met her before so it was really exciting. Of course, being surrounded by her and her team is just amazing.

“She says we should grab this opportunity — it’s maybe the only opportunity we have! For me, it’s the biggest opportunity I’ve ever had so I’m doing everything to make the most out of it and just have fun.”