Bart Horsten is heading into his second season in the BRDC British F3 Championship in 2021, whilst simultaneously competing in the virtual world with IRIDIUM Motorsports. The level headed eighteen year old is taking on every opportunity to grow as a driver, maximising any and all practice he can, evident in his dedication to both his real world team and his new virtual one, IRIDIUM.
The Australian driver is open minded, modest and realistic, clear in his ultimate goal of Formula 1, but is well aware of the challenges which lie ahead. His matter-of-fact mentality is refreshing and indicates his persistence towards his end goal. Having moved to the UK from Perth, Australia, the Horsten family have shown their dedication towards such a lifelong ambition. In this interview, Bart spoke openly discussing everything from the emotional hardships of moving him and his family over 9000 miles to pursue his dream, to his time at Arden and his current ventures in the virtual world.
Q: The first question Bart, what sparked you to get into motorsport?
BH: I’m not sure if it’s just one thing, I think I entered the sport as more of a fan. I always wanted to be a driver, but that was only because I was a fan of the sport. As a kid in Australia, there wasn’t a whole lot of motorsport on offer, so I followed F1 as it is extremely big in Australia. I just kept up my interest, I read books about drivers and saw that they all got started in Go Karts and thought well, I should probably do the same thing. So then there was just the case of getting into a Go Kart when I was old enough.
Q: At what age did you get into Go Karts?
BH: I believe I drove one at 8 years old. I did some karting and my first club race in Perth, and continued to kart even after I started in cars. Although, there was a little bit of conflict obviously with karting and cars, similar to now with sim racing and driving real cars, they are very similar but they are two very different disciplines. I think the people at the top of those disciplines have certain things that are different, and I think it was one of those things that I started to realise, mate if I’m going to be good enough in cars I need to commit to it a bit more and start taking it more seriously.
Q: At what stage do you have to decide to take it professionally or keep racing as a hobby?
BH: No one is ever forcing you, I guess it’s one of those things that is easy to think about now because I’m all in, but when I was younger I was worried about the commitment racing requires. Being in Australia you’re more isolated in terms of motorsport choices, there are opportunities but you’d have to be in the Eastern states, more specifically Melbourne, and for me living in Perth (Western Australia) it would have been a four hour flight every time. So realistically, I would have had to move to somewhere quite foreign in some ways, even though it’s still Australia, it’s a long way from my friends and family. But I am very fortunate to have a family who can support me and make the move across the world for what I want to achieve.
But it was definitely something for a long time I thought about, because you don’t want to do it unless you believe you can be successful and it’s hard to gauge without dipping your feet in first. Fortunately, I was able to go to the UK for some testing in F4 and get involved with the racing scene. I certainly felt in Australia given the right circumstances and a bit more time that I could have achieved more. So I felt that I was confident in my own abilities to make the jump to the UK. I don’t think I could have done it without the support of my family.
There was a lot of pressure I was putting on myself to perform because there was a lot riding on me, and I felt I had to prove a point to some extent, but pretty quickly that went away when I got so involved in racing.
But it is definitely not a flick of the switch decision.
Before Bart took the leap to the UK, he competed in single seaters with Fastlane Racing and Tandersport in the Western Australia Formula Ford Championship in 2017 and the Australian Formula Ford Championship in 2018. The latter championship required far more dedication and commitment as it involved vast amounts of travelling across Australia, whilst also balancing his education. Bart stressed the importance of schooling and the difficulties with managing his time.
BH: It was difficult balancing school, sometimes I wish I could have waited till I had finished school, and then really attack it (racing), because school is really important. It’s not something you really want to do later in life in case something goes wrong, especially in my circumstances. I feel it’s important for those around me to see I have made my commitment to my education and so I can support myself, IF I can’t make it as a professional racing driver.
But I was really fortunate to have a really good group of teachers and a year group who were able to compromise and support me, I think I would have struggled without them. I think you learn a lot from times like that, and I am certainly glad I don’t have to do that now that I have finished school I can put 100% into racing.
As one can imagine, moving from sunny Australia to rainy England must have been a shock to anyone, Bart was humorous in his response to the question of whether he had adapted to the British climate yet.
BH: I think I adapted quickly, but I’m still learning. I bring all my visors to the track, I’ve got all different colours now for all different conditions. I now bring a jacket expecting the weather to change. I think I’m getting used to it. Initially I got my arse kicked in the wet races, but that’s because all the kids are used to rain from their karting days. In Australia you can almost guarantee a dry weekend.
But that’s why it is so important to be in the UK because I am learning to be adaptable and as a driver I’ll be stronger because of it.
In Bart’s first year in the UK, he competed in British Formula 4 with Arden Motorsport, finishing 5th with 10 podiums and a race win. On paper this looks triumphant, but to a competitive racer Bart felt he could have done more.
BH: It was good, but I’m always one that would have wanted a bit more, especially from that season I felt maybe I could have fought for the championship, or at least been in the mix going into the final few rounds.
Looking back I see a lot of success but I also see a lot of mistakes, and things I could have done better. But more than anything, I see what I’ve learnt. F4 was a really important part of my driving and again confirmation of why I moved here, just the level of driving and the amazing events available in the UK.
2020 was an extraordinary year for everyone, Bart raced in BRDC British Formula 3, but before that there was just a small matter of surviving lockdown. To do this Bart immersed himself in the virtual world and even joined IRIDIUM Motorsport in August to get his foot in the door.
Q: IRIDIUM aims to blur the lines between virtual and real motorsport, as an insider, do you see this happening?
BH: Well, I’m a real driver and I’m here so I think it is happening. But I think it’s more what JJ (Jose Javier Buisan, IRIDIUM’s Team Principal) wants to happen. I think he’s done well, and everyone involved in IRIDIUM has done well. IRIDIUM is a community of people who want to be successful in motorsports and they get to share that passion and enjoyment, but they get to do that whilst also learning and practising in the virtual world, and translate that into their careers.
Bart will be competing in the Porsche eSport Carrera Cup GB alongside professional sim racers. He qualified 14th out of 25 available slots.
Q: How much is this an opportunity to showcase your talent?
BH: I race to win obviously, I love the competition and I want to be successful, that’s why I do it. But at the same time I want to almost get beaten by the guys that are better than me and thrown into the deep end against some of the really top drivers, because that’s when I can push myself and I feel that’s when I learn the most. I feel you can take a lot from that. So if I do get beaten, I’ll use it as a learning curve.
I expect not to finish last, and probably not to finish first. I honestly expect to have fun. I am really looking forward to the strength in competition.
Bart also raced for Lanan Racing in 2020, and when asked about balancing such a busy schedule between the virtual and real world commitments, Bart’s response was hugely mature and insightful into how he approaches racing.
BH: It’s only a busy schedule if you think it’s busy. I think it’s all about perspective. There’s a difference between being motivated and disciplined. Being disciplined enough to do stuff you’re not motivated for and just getting on with it. I think if you can approach it like that, then I think it’s that simple. I’m still learning things, I think I’m better than I was 5 minutes ago… At least I hope so!
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