Calcutta boy Arya Singh, an alumnus of Heritage School, is not your usual teenager. The racing pro has just got his first international podium finish in the second round of the Formula 4 South East Asia series in Malaysia. There’s an air of confidence about him as he walks into Motorworks And Brewing Company in Salt Lake Sector V for a chat. Excerpts.

Congratulations on your big finish! This is your first international podium. Has it sunk in yet?

It was really tough. I finished third in the race. I wasn’t expecting to win going into this round. All of it happened very quickly. One fine day, I got to know I would be racing in Malaysia. Within 24 hours, we were told to go to the Southeast Asian country, everything was sorted out real quick. I didn’t even get the time to prepare.

In the third race, in which I got the podium, I started in fifth place and had a brisk start. As soon as the race started, I wasn’t thinking of where I would finish, I just wanted to get the lead as soon as possible. I was focused as there were far more experienced people competing. I had taken the lead at some point of time but couldn’t retain it. But I kept trying and could finally take third place.

What were your thoughts before you got behind the wheel?

Well... just before the race began, I didn’t think this was a full-on championship. I thought I was just doing one round, like a practice round. But who knew it would turn out to be my first podium finish?!

Your top speed ever?

Ummm... it was 220kmph. That was in Delhi at the Buddh International Circuit last year.

How physically demanding is racing?

It’s really demanding, in fact, more than other sports. Where I am racing right now, in Formula 4, it’s kind of medium-hard in terms of fitness. Like this time around, I was really struggling with my leg strength. Your legs are paining and you are driving a really fast car, plus you are facing the G-forces. You need a lot of core strength plus a lot of strength in your shoulder. And Formula 1 drivers actually lose around four-five kilos per race. And even in Le Mans (the world’s oldest active sports car race in endurance racing that has been held annually since 1923 near the town of Le Mans in France), one needs to be supremely tough. One needs to be fit physically and mentally. One needs to be prepared for whatever is coming and you need to be calm as well.

What is your diet plan and fitness regimen like?

I work out six days a week. Sunday is the only day I don’t hit the gym. If I need to lose weight, I go for proteins and cut down on carbohydrates. But if it’s just a question of maintaining my physique, I just have whatever’s cooked at home. However, I try and avoid rice. It’s tough, but one needs to do it.

How long do you train and where?

I go to Rush Fitness Studio in New Alipore. I train under Sumit Das. The gym and the trainers have been supporting me a lot. Before Rush, I used to go to a gym in Chennai, Quantum Leap Sports Performance, that specialises in sports and, specifically, motor sports. From there basically I get my diet and fitness plan and we then improvise at Rush. So it’s basically one-and-a-half to two hours of training every day.

Tell us about your first professional race...

My first professional car race was in 2016. I had just shifted from karts to cars and it went well, I didn’t feel the hype or excitement because I had been testing the cars for a long time. So, come race, I just knew what I had to do and I finished seventh in that one. But in the same week I also got my podium, I came second.

What is the scope of professional racing in India? Is there proper support infrastructure here?

I think we don’t have that much support from the government. But, of course, we have the FMSCI (Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India) and organisers like MRF and JK Tyres. They have been working really hard, they promote us in various ways. Like in MRF, if you win, they give you cash rewards and opportunities to go abroad, like Europe, to race with other better athletes, better cars. The scene is improving. We have come a long way from what it was six or seven years ago. It has matured. A lot of people are getting interested in the sport, which is great. So, hopefully, in the next few years, things will get really good.

Which one would you pick if it’s a toss-up between F1 and NASCAR?

None actually. I would go for something known as Le Mans, the World Endurance Championship. I really like the Le Mans and the LMP1. There’s also GT cars that are fun to drive like Ferrari GT or Audi R8. They are fun to watch and they must be fun to drive as well. But between F1 and NASCAR, I would choose F1.

Is racing teamwork or a one-man show?

Racing is not a one-man show actually. You need to trust your team a lot because you need a solid car to win a race. You need a fast car, you need a reliable car. You need to have faith in your team. But once you are on the track, it’s all down to the driver.

What inspired you to take up racing?

Ever since I was a baby. My family was always into motor sports. My father was a big motor sports enthusiast. He was a big fan of Formula 1 racing and liked Michael Schumacher. So I was watching Formula 1 on TV from a very young age. I had a really keen interest in cars, something I picked up from my father. Eventually, I decided I wanted to be a racer. Every time I watch a Formula 1 race, I get more inspired by these champions.

Who are your racing idols?

It has to be Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton. Because the best thing about both of them is that they didn’t come from rich families or families with motor sports backgrounds. And they turned out to become the greatest race drivers of their era. Or even Nicolas Hulkenberg, who is a very underrated driver, but he does so well with what he has.

What are you looking forward to?

I am looking forward to the national series... it’s gonna be my third year racing in the nationals so... I won the first year, the second year I didn’t do that well and well... this year I have a lot of momentum going for me. I have had some great races in Malaysia. The MRF MMSC FMSCI Indian National Racing Championship 2019 starts from June and so I am looking forward to it. I will be competing in the F 1600 category. Then I have to see where I race next.

Your advice for budding racers...

I think the best advice would be to never give up no matter what. It doesn’t matter what you are pursuing because failures will be there. You need to believe in yourself. For me, the last year wasn’t the best but I kept pushing and now I have a podium. You need to be at it, got to keep trying and you will get there eventually.