POLE POSITION | MAX FEWTRELL
During a recent stay at Vila Vita Parc on the Algarve , I got into conversation with a most delightful couple Paul and Louise Fewtrell , who in turn introduced me to their two sons , Max aged 12 and Theo , 9 .
It was during the conversation I asked Max what he wanted to do when he grew up , and to my surprise came the answer – become a Formula 1 racing driver . Perhaps a lot of boys of his age would answer in the same way but , as his father pointed out , he became the Asian Open Karting Champion aged 10 and so he is likely to be just that !
The family was in the Algarve , visiting the racing circuit at Portamao where he hopes to test drive one of his karts later this year . It was obvious I needed to know more , after all how many people are lucky to meet a Formula 1 champion in the making .
It is interesting to note Sebastian Vettel got into his first go-cart in 1995 when Max was just 4 years old . I wanted to find out just how do you become a world champion-racing driver . We read of people who achieve fame ; but I am lucky to have got to know this first hand from Max himself , his first formal interview , a real delight for me .
He was born in Birmingham in 1999 but his early years were spent in Singapore , where his parents were working . Max does have memories of his first play school in Birmingham , and of his first yellow and purple plastic trike . Louise reminded him that before he could walk , he would spend time sitting on the marble floor of their home , spinning the wheels of his upturned push chair , so from a very early age , he has loved wheels !
One day in Singapore when he was just 9 , he went with his mother Louise and some other friends to a go-kart circuit for the day . What followed was to change his young life forever . He went to that circuit day after day during the holidays . It was here his mind was made up – he was going to be a Champion .
I don ’ t think I have ever met a boy with such focus – his eyes are fixed on nothing else ; how refreshing to see that in someone so young these days . Terminatio et Cupido ( Determination and Desire ) could easily be his motto for the future .
One of the challenges is how Max balances working at his studies and at his sport . His days are equally divided between studying and training . Prior to July last year , Max was commuting from Singapore to Italy every two weeks for training . Understanding that regime could not last , Louise and Paul decided to move back to the UK and settled in Berkshire to have a closer flight time to Italy and no jet lag .
The alarm wakes him at 7.00 am and he is collected and taken to the gym by his trainer , Gary Catt . His gym routine was exhausting to listen to – centering on circuit training , hand / eye coordination and general fitness . Max has to tune into this vigorous and strict discipline , but you can tell he revels in it .
Once home he awaits the arrival of his tutor Zayn at 11.00am , six days a week . His home studies last until 3.00pm and it is during these ‘ one to one ’ tuition sessions Max studies English , Maths , Physics and Biology . He particularly loves the science experiments Zayn sets him .
The routine is interrupted every two weeks when Max travels to Italy with his mentor Gary to train on the track . He has all day sessions on the track covering all aspects of driving , testing the engines and with a camera fixed to the car so he is able to replay his day ’ s drives . Testing the karts is very exhausting , however Max enjoys every aspect of training .
Three days of intense racing in heats culminate in a final . Gary told me “ Max has a mind set to win . He has a lot of potential and has a great deal of grit and determination . While we are in Italy , he is learning a lot of other social skills and is without doubt , enjoying being a boy in a man ’ s world ”.
None of his success seems to have gone to his head and he is able to show his emotions . Gary , who is his trainer , coach and mentor , told me it is a role he really enjoys and it is made so much easier by Max having such supportive parents , who in no way interfere with his teaching . Gary is left to discipline and train him ; his parents are by his side to support him .
| www . portugal-life . net | Summer 2012 | 19