Last year's SMP Formula 4 vice-champion Michael Belov, who recently joined the SMP Racing Junior program, will hold the 2019 season in Italian Formula 4.
We wanted to get to know the young driver of our program a little bit better so we asked him a few questions:
— Hi, Michael! Let's start with the most interesting and popular question: your name immediately reminds us about Schumacher. Tell us why do you have this name?
— I do not know why my parents gave me this name (smiles). Most likely they named me after him.
— Who is your favourite driver?
— My favourite driver is Sebastian Vettel. I consider him a great driver. But I should say that I look up to different drivers, who race in different formula series, so I really cannot just pick one.
— How do you prepare between race rounds?
— I go to the gym between races. I do a lot of gym work! I also train on a SMP Fitness simulator.
— When and how did you become interested in motosrport?
— When I was 6 years old, my dad brought me to the karting club and give me the smallest go-kart. I really enjoyed it. After that, we discussed it at home and decided that I should take classes of karting.
— What victories and achievements are you proud of today?
— There are several important achievements for me: I became the world kart champion in the SWS Junior Cup in 2014, the champion of Russia in the Rotax Max Mini karting class and took second place in the karting Grand Final Rotax in 2015, last year I was a vice-champion of SMP F4 NEZ . And I’m also very excited to represent SMP Racing in the Italian Formula 4 this season, of course.
— Share your impressions from visiting the team base.
— The Bhaitech Racing team is very hospitable. The base surprised me with its appearance, both outside and inside. It has everything a driver needs to prepare for a season: a gym, a simulator, a recreation area. Most of all I liked the team’s attitude to their work. The engineer of the simulator does its job perfectly. So far I had a chance to work only with him and with a physical training coach. They both made positive comments about the high level of my training. I try my best now and continue training, because it is very important be totally ready for the completion.
The first round of the Italian Formula 4 will be held from 3 to 5 May on the Vallelunga Circuit, Italy.
