Aditya Patel is an Indian racing driver and represents Audi India Motorsport. Prior to this, he has competed in the Volkswagen Scirocco R-Cup, Polo Cup, Formula BMW Pacific and the 24 hours of Nurburgring.

Aditya was given his first taste of motorsport in a Go-Kart at the age of four. He began participating in local Go-Karting events at the age of eleven. Although in school, his parents Kamlesh Patel (former Indian racing and rally champion) and Amita Patel were instrumental in showing support in his early career. His first national title came in 2001 when he won the Jk Tyre Junior Karting championship in Goa.

Aditya  continued to pursue racing as well as academics while trying to strike a balance between the two. It was only in 2007, in his final year of high school, that he won the National racing championship in Single seaters for the NK Racing team owned by Narain Karthikeyan as well Rotax Max India challenge and went on to represent the country in the Rotax world finals held in Al-Ain.

Read his incredible profile at: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aditya_Patel

Interview with Aditya Patel

What challenges did you face, in getting to where you are today? 

Primarily, it’s an expensive sport. Family support can only take you so far, but unless you work hard and win races, it’s not easy to get sponsors. Even Winning races isn’t enough. It’s the entire hustle every year that’s a challenge, but it’s worth every minute.

 

What drives you to get up in the morning and go training every day?

That National anthem on the top step.

  

What is important to you? ( apart from sports what else do you do, and believe in ? It’s good for people reading this to know that there are other interests too aside from sports) …

I believe it’s important to do what you like and when you like. Only sports all the time can wear you out. Traveling, reading, cooking, even just doing nothing sometimes takes me a long way.

 

How does being an athlete make you a better person?

Definitely makes you more aware, and prepared for anything that’s thrown at you. Helps you think on your feet and stay calm at the same time. 

 

One word that describes you?

Calm

 

What do you give up to play sports?

Nothing. 🙂

 

What mental tool do you use under pressure?

Breathing, Slowing things down.

 

What is your mantra?

Go with the flow, don’t overthink.

 

At what age did you know that you wanted to become a professional sports person?

I don’t know to be honest, I went with the flow.

 

What do you do to calm your butterflies when you compete?

Close my eyes, Visualize, breathe.

 

 What coaches, teacher or other people have been great influences in your life and why or how?

We don’t really have coaches/Can’t afford them. My dad has been the biggest influence and he let me learn my own style.

 

 If this applies – what is the most important lesson you have taken from being a player and applied to being a coach.

Patience. 

 

 What one word or phrase do you want people to associate with your name?

Peace

 

What’s on your iPod right now? (What music genres and which artists do you enjoy listening to before a match?)

Almost everything. Whatever works for the day. 

 

Why do you think everyone should play a sport?

The level of awareness and concentration during sport is unparalleled. Nothing else matters while you’re in it. 

 

What do you do to keep fit ? Nutrition?

Daily fitness regime. Even if it’s for just 30 min. Every minute counts. I love food but keep a check on salt, oil, fried food etc.

 

 How do you incorporate mindfulness practices into sports.

To me, it’s there if you really love the sport and want to do it. If that sport in question doesn’t interest you, it never works.