Ferdinand Habsburg’s second season in the single-seater series for young drivers has not gone entirely to plan. Having finished seventh in his rookie season in 2017, he was regarded by many as a dark horse this year. However, the young Austrian has been unable to back up last year’s success. Third place in Misano was Habsburg’s first podium finish. “Our engine failed at the season-opener, which meant we have had to use the replacement engine for all the races so far. That is no excuse though. I am just struggling to live up to the high expectations and must learn to handle the pressure. This is just something I have to get though, and I would rather get this experience under my belt at the start of my career,” says the 21-year-old.

Even as a young boy, the great-grandson of the emperor was fascinated by motorsport and used to race his toy cars around tracks that he had built himself. When he was 16, Ferdinand Habsburg attended the renowned Lechner Racing School. In 2014, he took part in the Formula Renault series and ended the season in fourth place. Two years later, he was runner-up at the Euroformula Open. By this time, his hobby had become a profession and the Austrian was proving to be a quick learner. After convincing his father that his future lays at the wheel of a racing car, the path was free for Habsburg to forge a career in motorsport.

The Austrian has been given an enthusiastic welcome at his home event in Spielberg. “It feels good to have such great support from my compatriots. They are cool and very friendly. They encourage me and are right behind me,” says a delighted Habsburg. However, the 21-year-old can also rely on the race tyre provided by premium tyre maker Hankook. “The Hankook race tyre is ideal for our series. You can push hard on it on every lap and do not have to worry about tyre management. The Hankook tyre manages itself. As a driver, you are able to focus fully on the race, which allows you to learn an incredible amount. If I had enough money, I would buy myself a Formula 3 car and 50 sets of Hankook race tyres. I would use them to practice as long as it takes until I can take turn seven at the Red Bull Ring at full throttle every time.”