In Profile: Joseph Loake

British rookie Joseph Loake enjoyed his most competitive round to date in what was just his second race weekend in FIA Formula 3.

The Rodin Motorsport driver was also a confident figure following testing in Barcelona and believes he and the team could take a step forward at Imola. So, it’s a good time to get to know him a little bit more.

WHAT IS YOUR FIRST RACING MEMORY?

“My first racing memory would be racing in NatSKA, which was a small karting Championship at a very low level. You race for a bit of fun and I remember the first ever time out in a go-kart, I spun 17 times. It was not a good first try but luckily it got better. Somehow, I still enjoyed it, I stuck with it and I’ve gotten a bit better since then.”

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR RACING STYLE?

“I would say I’m pretty aggressive. I’m quite opportunistic as well, which is something I feel is quite important, especially in a Championship like Formula 3. The main thing for me is to be completely on it all the time, optimising everything and if that means taking risks, so be it.”

READ MORE: Rodin’s pace has ‘come a long way’ says Loake after ‘positive’ Barcelona test

WHO IS YOUR RACING HERO?

“I have two. In terms of modern-day racing, I’d say Max Verstappen. He came up when I started watching motorsport and started watching it myself, which is cool to watch that progression he’s made up to Formula 1. I think the way he drives, the aggression, the way he goes about things is something to be looked up to.

“If I was to go back to a bit before, I’d look to Ayrton Senna. Again, that same kind of aggression, the desire to win, not caring about anything else. Just concentrating on the driving and making sure the results come in.”

WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT BEING A RACING DRIVER?

“Driving the cars really, isn’t it? Driving around the world in race cars is a dream really. All of us in Formula 3 want to be in Formula 1 but we’ve all started off somewhere and at one point, dreamt of being here. So, I think that it’s important to remember for myself that this is something that not many people get to do, and it is a real big privilege.”

HOW DO YOU RELAX OUTSIDE OF RACING?

“I do virtual racing. Drivers just focus on motorsport, it’s their whole life. I spend time with my girlfriend, go out and do stuff with her of course, I have my family that are really close to me but aside from normal, everyday stuff, it’s on the sim 24/7. I’ll do laps and laps and laps.”

TESTING NOTEBOOK: How did each team fare after three days of running in Barcelona?

DO YOU HAVE A SECRET TALENT?

“Absolutely not! If I didn’t have racing, I’d be the most pointless person in the world. Honestly, I can’t do anything else. I used to play football but I wasn’t anything special. I got injured many times and I’d never have made it regardless.”

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE TRACK ON THE F3 CALENDAR?

“I’d only driven three tracks on the calendar before this year, but Silverstone’s obviously up there. Of the other tracks I’ve driven, Spa as well. Silverstone’s the best to me personally, but I’m looking forward to Monaco, to drive around a street circuit and experience that being on the limit is going to be quite a special thing.”