Thu 12 Sep 2024

Baudet: “My parents never wanted me to become a driver”

The skillset required to be a rally driver is far reaching and varied. From mental stability and athletic qualities to lightening fast reactions and the ultimate collaboration with your co-driver, the key attributes to success can often seem daunting.

But Beyond Rally Women’s Driver Development Programme contender Lyssia Baudet offers a unique ability that sets her apart from the other fourteen finalists.

 

“I can make my ears move” jokes the 21-year-old Belgian, who goes on to define her top attribute in a more informative way.

 

“In all seriousness, I’m always eager to learn and it’s quite easy for me to absorb any advice before putting it to use” she continues.

 

A vital quality for any sportsperson, not least one who is heading into a contest to secure a season in the FIA Junior World Rally Championship. However, Lyssia’s career could have easily headed in a different direction.

“My parents never wanted me to become a racing driver,” she says. “This is why I tested many other sports and activities before trying a kart. I tried swimming, judo, tennis and even dancing. I believe I’m an adrenaline-driven person so that didn’t really work out. When I first learned how to drive at eight years old, I knew right away that it was for me. It’s a feeling I can’t describe with words, I always felt “at home” while driving.”

 

Forging her own path, Lyssia’s first taste of motorsport was at the circuits. From a young age and despite her parents’ uncertainty, she believed her destiny was to become a professional racing driver until another opportunity presented itself.

 

“There was a selection organised by the Belgian Federation [RACB] to find the next female rally driver. There were 250 girls, and I was selected. I grabbed the opportunity without really knowing where I was going or what was going to happen, and I wasn’t disappointed. I find the complexity of the discipline very fascinating, and I discovered a new passion.”

 

Since then, her career has flourished, but she feels it's vital for aspiring drivers to keep looking forward.

 

“Keep believing in your dream. You never know what the future holds for you. I treat this opportunity like my life depends on it because it kind of does. I mean, the outcome could change my life as a driver forever.”

Europe
Starts: Thursday, October 17, 2024 at 8:00:00 AM
Poland
Starts: Friday, October 11, 2024 at 9:30:00 AM
Turkey
Starts: Saturday, November 9, 2024 at 5:00:00 AM