I’m no longer sure myself (laughs). My interest in all things mechanical doubtless began in my father’s workshop, where I watched him fiddling away with construction equipment and gearboxes from a young age. Later on, I even helped him get our classic car ready for the summer. I bought my first moped myself when I was 14.

On my 18th birthday, I went to see a mountain race. That was a pivotal moment for me, and I immediately knew that I wanted to do that, too! I took my driving test with the explicit aim of getting into motor racing. People told me about the Swiss Race Academy, where I was swiftly accepted as a Junior. Unfortunately, the Academy had to close due to the pandemic. That was a real blow, and I needed to find a new direction.

So, I worked with a car mechanic I knew to whip my Mazda MX 5 into shape, with the aim of getting a foothold in the racing world. Once I’d got my racing licence in Hockenheim, in Germany, I drove in a few time attack races in Italy, where you’re always striving to beat your own best time. After these initial experiences, something new began to fascinate me: drifting. In drifting, you let the rear of the car move outwards in a controlled fashion so you can go round corners at an angle. This pairing of calm control and smoking tyres gripped me to such an extent that I bought a new BMW E46 and set up my own workshop to gradually transform it into a drift car. As drift cars aren’t road-legal, my aim is to get my trailer licence by 2024 so I can take my BMW to events on my own. Then, I’ll soon be able to compete in drifting races in France, Germany and Switzerland!

Motor racing is still a male-dominated discipline: I want to prove myself in this sport as a young woman. My passion and determination are my biggest motivators in this pursuit. I’m looking forward to the day when it’s no longer ‘unusual’ to be a successful woman in motor racing.

The applicable FIA (Féderation International de l’Automobile) safety regulations are utterly central. Clothing and vehicles are scrutinised before every race. It’s crucially important that you’re familiar with the rules and markings, for instance, that a red flag means ‘stop the race’. Before each race, the team has a meeting to discuss the ‘ideal line’ for the course: this is the optimum route to take, which could save you lots of time.

For me, the sense of community is the best thing. I’m never on my own: I’m just a radio call away from the paddock. Even though I have to perform solo in the moment, I’m always part of something much bigger. And this sense of freedom when I’m driving at the limit and can really feel the speed – it’s just unbelievable. Ultimately, though, I just enjoy tinkering away on an engine with oil-stained fingers and buying car parts (laughs).