My Passion - Formula 1 and Motorsport

Note: For the last two and a bit years, every article on this website has been written by yours truly. However, today's article is a special one as my wonderful friend Jessy has written about her love for Formula 1 and Motorsport! Take it away Twin!

Firstly, hi, I’m Jessy, and I decided to write a little guest article 

Motorsport has always been a big part of my life. I grew up with Formula One, DTM, and MotoGP playing in the background on Sundays because of my dad. I grew up with Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel, and Lewis Hamilton dominating. 

My family is very obsessed with cars and motorbikes. We only had Audi cars and Yamaha bikes. At the age of 4, I could name every car manufacturer walking down the street!

I was a very music-interested kid. I had piano classes, was in a choir and did theatre. I never gave it much of a thought but it was nice seeing the passion for cars in my dad and even my mom. My dad changed his job quite often and had to move because of it, so it stopped playing in the background on Sundays. 

Science has always been a big part of my life. I’m studying computer science at the moment and aspire to work in the motorsport industry one day. My science journey began very early. I started to take science classes at the age of 10 and never stopped. 

My high school major was biology technology and I wanted to work in the cell biology field, but after I changed my field of study all I want now is to secure a job in the software department of a Formula One team. In fact, the change of my field of study is actually a big part of my reintroduction to motorsport. 

At the end of 2022, I didn't really like my old major (Medical Engineering), it just wasn't a good fit. At the same time, I didn't know what I should do with my life. I was scared that I wouldn't find anything that fits me. I quit studying Medical Engineering and started Computer Science in March 2023 (something I thought I would never do because I was always way too scared to do it). 

The decision to change was really hard for me and it threw me into a deep hole of confusion and sadness. I knew I needed something that would make me happy so I started to watch Drive to Survive (yes, I guess I’m one of those fans). 

I got hooked IMMEDIATELY! I loved cars and watched Formula One as a kid, but now being a grown-up it just hits differently! I binge-watched all five seasons in a week and couldn’t wait for the season to start at the same time as my new field of study. 

March 2023 - the new season started and I was ready to watch it and become absolutely obsessed - oh and I became obsessed real quick! 

At the beginning I started to support Lewis, he’s the only one I remembered seeing driving with my dad back in the day, but I quickly started to support the McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. It was nice to start watching at the same time as Oscar began to drive in Formula One, and I also started to look at Yuki Tsunoda and Alex Albon. 

As the season progressed I became more and more obsessed. I started to look at the technical side of the sport and just enjoyed my new hobby. It was something just for me. Sundays became my favourite day of the week and my understanding for the sport grew. 

Seeing Max absolutely dominating the 2023 season was fascinating and as the season ended on November 26th, I didn't know how to spend the winter break.

Luckily the app "Threads" launched in Europe two weeks later and with that, a whole new chapter of my life started!

I thought to myself “Why not download this app and let’s see what's on there?” and oh boy it really changed my life. I found people all over the world who have the same passion, the same drive, and love for this sport. And yes, you guessed right: the obsession grew more!

At first it was weird to post anything on it, I never really used an app like this before and it was unusual to share my thoughts about the last season. Very quickly I started to enjoy posting on Threads and reading all about the opinions of others. A few people came up on my feed again and again and I started to interact with them. In retrospect, I'm very proud of myself for doing that!

The 2024 season was about to start and the whole Threads crew was excited. Of course, everyone had their own favourite, but the whole community was and is very respectful. 

With time connections grew, friendships evolved, and groups formed. It's not just about Formula One at this point, we share so much with each other and I think it's safe to say that these connections changed us all. 

I found my best friends through this sport and crazy coincidences. I’m forever grateful for it and for the opportunity to write this on Linus' Blog.

July 2024 - time for the British Grand Prix and guess who went? 

It’s an absolute dream come true! It’s the weekend after my 25th birthday and I got to spend it at the Silverstone! Best birthday present ever! 

It was a very overwhelming and stressful weekend but oh my it was amazing! Seeing these fast cars driving around in the rain, the sun, Formula 3, Formula 2, and Formula 1 as well as historic cars, and just seeing so, so, so many fans was incredible! The whole atmosphere was insane! Seeing the drivers in person, singing Happy Birthday to Danny (Ric), being surrounded by people who love the sport, getting pictures and autographs, and meeting people I met on Threads. I could go on for days, this weekend will always be special to me!

George (Russell) put it on Pole, took his time to give every single one of us waiting an autograph, took pictures, and chatted with so many people. Other drivers did the same and even some staff members and important people!

I got a picture with Jack Doohan and so many autographs and special driver cards!

Witnessing a Lewis Hamilton win with my Dad in England was extra special! The crowd went absolutely crazy and it didn't matter if they were a Lewis fan or not, it was just extra special!

Seeing my two favourite drivers doing a shoey on stage at the end of an amazing weekend was like the cherry on top. I truly won’t ever forget it!

Conclusion:

Formula One isn't just a hobby for me anymore, I spend every Thursday (during Race Week) looking at interviews of the drivers, Friday watching the free practices, Saturday the Qualifying or Sprint Race, and the highlight of the week: the Race on Sunday! I aspire to work in Formula One one day. My whole closet consists of merch and I don't want to start talking about my camera roll!

And fun fact: I not only watch Formula One nowadays, I have also dipped my toes into NASCAR and IndyCar, and I can’t wait to get into more motorsports!

From a little escape from reality to a life-changing obsession with lifelong friends (hopefully)! 

I would like to thank Linus once again for giving me this opportunity to share my thoughts on here and a big thank you to everyone supporting me in my madness! Thank you to every single person who changed my life and welcomed me into this crazy world! I literally love you all so so so much! 

xoxo Jessy <3