OU.'s that girl

Can you tell us a little about your journey into racing? What made you want to pursue it yourself?

My journey into racing started when I was 15, when I got the chance to drive on track for the first time. Cars had always been a big part of my life because I grew up around them. My family has a car dealership in Leeuwarden, and my dad used to race as well, so motorsport was always something I was familiar with.

But the moment I got behind the wheel myself, it became my own passion. I absolutely loved the feeling of driving on track and wanted to keep improving and going faster. Not long after that, I got my racing licence, and I basically never stopped. Since then, my love for racing and cars has only continued to grow.

You’re currently doing a Master’s alongside racing. How do you balance studying, racing and everything in between?

I’m currently doing a Master’s in Management at Nyenrode University in Breukelen. Combining that with racing can definitely be challenging, because racing takes up much more time than people might think. It’s not just the race weekends themselves, but also the training, preparation and everything around it.

Track days are often during the week, while races usually take place at the weekend, which is also the time I would normally use to study. So finding the right balance is something I’m still figuring out.

Luckily, I’m at a level in racing where I don’t have to choose between the two. My studies are my number one priority, but racing is a huge passion of mine, so I try to plan ahead and make sure there is room for both.

What does a typical day look like for you on the track?

Race days always start incredibly early! When we travel from Leeuwarden with the van and trailer with the race car on it, my alarm often goes off around 5 in the morning.

Once we arrive at the circuit, the car first has to go through scrutineering, followed by the drivers’ briefing. Then the real fun starts: we usually have a free practice session, qualifying, and then two or three races of around 30 minutes each.

In between sessions, my team is working really hard to make sure the car is in the best possible condition before I get back in. Whether that means making adjustments, checking everything or fixing something after a session, there’s always something going on behind the scenes.

At the end of the day, there’s the podium ceremony, and after that we pack everything up and drive all the way back home. So they’re long and intense days, but that’s also what makes race weekends so much fun.

Do you have a routine or ritual that helps you reset between busy days?

Definitely working out! I love being in the gym almost every day. For me, staying active, eating well and working on my fitness really helps me reset. I also enjoy running, and I’m actually planning to start cycling soon as well.

Putting on some good music and just focusing on my workout is one of the best ways for me to clear my head after a busy day. And besides that, spending time with the people I care about is really important to me. That combination helps me recharge and feel ready for whatever is next.

What does ambition mean to you? And how do you define success for yourself?

For me, ambition means always wanting to keep learning and becoming the best version of myself. From a young age, one of my biggest dreams has been to eventually take over my father’s family business. It means a lot to me to continue what my family has built, and the fact that it’s in the automotive industry makes it even more special because it fits perfectly with my own passion for cars.

I think success is a little harder to define. For me, it’s not just about reaching one specific goal or having a certain position. I would consider myself successful if I can keep challenging myself, build something I’m genuinely proud of and, most importantly, enjoy the journey along the way. If one day I can continue our family business in my own way while still making room for my passion for racing, I think that would feel like success to me.

What’s something racing has taught you that you take with you outside the track?

Racing has definitely taught me how to deal with setbacks. Things don’t always go the way you want them to. You can make a mistake, have a bad race or something can happen that’s completely out of your control.

But in racing, you can’t stay stuck on that for too long. You have to learn from it, reset and get back in the car. I try to take that mindset with me outside the track as well. Not everything has to go perfectly, what matters most is how you deal with it afterwards and that you keep moving forward.

What’s next for you?

Right now, my main focus is on completing my Master’s in Management, which I’ve only just started. At the same time, I’m really excited about what’s next in racing. One of my next goals is to compete in the Polo GTI Cup and keep developing myself as a driver.

So there’s definitely a lot ahead, both in my studies and on the track, and I’m really excited to see where both will take me.