There's one question I've been asked several times every day since winning the championship: “What's happening with Rodin?” Here's the long answer.
How Did We Get Here?
The Rodin Cars Formula Ford to Formula 1 Programme began before the start of the season, with the prize of a three-day evaluation programme on offer for the NZFF champion, plus a wildcard entry. The programme was put together to put two drivers through their paces in three different cars over three days, with the goal of assessing future Rodin Motorsport talent.
This was an absolutely massive motivator for myself and the team - it's genuinely a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
We developed the car as best we could, and made sure it was reliable and would finish every race, as a DNF would stack the odds against me massively.
So we raced, and raced. Every meeting we came closer to our goal of winning the championship, and in the end we took home the trophy.
“But Why Does This Mean So Much?”
The Formula Ford to Formula 1 Programme is a genuine pathway into European racing, and potentially to F1. Since the day I saw the announcement it was a massive motivator for the championship - it showed me the sheer potential of what could lie ahead. That means a lot coming from Rodin specifically, as they own a multitude of race teams all over the world, importantly, on the road to F1.
This kind of opportunity doesn't come by every day, especially not in New Zealand, so to be a recipient of it means the world to me.
Even just the opportunity to visit the factory and see the facilities would be incredible - but to drive three cars I'd dreamed of driving was even better. The pressure was on to perform, as there was potential for a funded drive in Formula 4 to come from the evaluation, so I had to bring my A-game.
But There's More…
This opportunity would be special for anyone, but to me it meant the world.
I'm not normally one to write things like this - I don't think I've even mentioned it publicly - but a couple of years ago my Nana gave me a gift, since she knew Rodin was a brand I'd dream of working with. Just the day before we went racing for the start of the championship, she passed away. You can't make this stuff up.
“We hope all your dreams come true, Blake! - they didn't know it yet, but they'd be among the people helping to make it happen, just a couple of years later.”
Rodin Cars - The Trip
This was seriously the coolest week of my entire life.
From the beginning of the trip right to the end it was absolutely incredible. Even the drive there was good enough - the scenery around Mt Lyford is just amazing, and if I had my way I'd have my own racetrack there too. Haha.
It was a surreal feeling driving up to the gates in the rental, seeing the Rodin sign stand tall over the picturesque backdrop of Mt Lyford. I felt like this is what my whole life was leading up to - and it kind of was.
The weekend started with a warm welcome from the team, and it wasn't long until we were into the action. We began with a thorough track walk, then jumped into the passenger's seat, and shortly after, the driver's seat of a McLaren 570S GT4. What an experience!
I sat alongside Mark Williamson, the driving coach for the programme. This was my first real coaching experience in car racing, and it was great to do it in a sports car so he could sit beside me and give feedback in real time. I got onto the pace quickly and found the car a blast to drive - the engineering quality is phenomenal, to the point where it almost felt like a sim.
But It Got Even Better…
Then came the main focus of the programme - the Formula 4 car. I was slightly nervous on the way into this one, as I'd never had a real go in a wings-and-slicks racecar before. That doesn't mean I was scared, because I went out and sent it, then came in with a big grin. Despite having far less horsepower, this thing produced a laptime around four seconds per lap faster than the McLaren.
Compared to a Formula Ford there were similarities, but a lot to adapt to. We have an open diff in both, but driving with downforce was something totally new. The engineering was a step up from what I'd driven before, but it still felt very raw and mechanical.
Day two had total focus on the F4 car, and the programme's documentary video was filmed during this day. This is where we were given our own set of Pirelli slicks, after learning the Hankook tyres on day one. Each tyre had unique ways of getting the most out of it - a key difference was the softer Pirelli sidewall, which let me carry more brake into the corner, emphasising the importance of being smooth even more.
Last of all, we went round in the Formula 3 car. This was the fastest car of the three, and the final session of the programme. It had a limited-slip diff and was naturally aspirated - no turbo lag, and a car that put the power down a lot more effectively. I adapted quickly, enjoying every second. I only had eight push laps on fairly old tyres, but that was enough to come within nine tenths of a second of the all-time lap record in the car.
“So, What Happens Next?”
Over the course of the evaluation programme I was really happy with my own performance - but was it enough?
Yes it was!
I'm extremely excited to say that I'll be testing an F4 car in the UK with the Rodin Motorsport team. I'll be driving Pembrey circuit in Wales from the 16th to 17th of July, and I couldn't be more excited to get it underway.
Where Could This Lead?
Well - it's called Formula Ford to Formula 1, and it's on me to perform with the team going forward. Rodin have already shown how their support can influence a driver's success, with both Liam Lawson and Louis Sharp notably. From the testing abroad I aim to secure a seat in British F4 and work forward from there, with the ultimate goal of making it all the way to the top.
It's hard to say when I'll be back in New Zealand. I put my goals first, but I can't say I won't miss the thousands of memories made here. I look forward to the next chapter.