In Conversation with Rally Co-Driver Eszter Velezdi

Guest blog by Thiemo Albers-Daly

Eszter Velezdi is a Hungarian Rally Co-Driver who’s been in love with racing ever since she came across Formula 1 as a child. From there, she started taking an interest in racing closer to home and that’s how she found her way into the world of rallying, co-driving and Sim Racing.

We caught up a little while back to chat about all of this, how her career has progressed so far, ambitions for the future and more!

I hope you enjoy our conversation.

What first got you interested in Motorsport?

When I was 8 years old, I became interested in Formula 1, which I still love today. Then, when I was 13 years old, I went to an amateur rally competition with my friends for the first time, where I fell in love with rallying. There I saw a little blonde girl standing at the start line with a buggy, that’s when I decided that I wanted to be a rally competitor too.

Why did you want to become a Rally Co-Driver?

I wanted to drive at first, but I soon had to realize that I would never have enough money to maintain a racing car. So for a long time I could only watch the racing cars in the service parks, and I learned a lot there. That’s when I got to know the serious work the navigators do. Then came an opportunity to sit on the right side in a rally car for a race, which has captivated me for 10 years now. Fate eventually gave me the opportunity so that I could try to get myself behind the wheel too.

How does it feel for you when you go racing?

Typically I can’t sleep well before that, which is not the most ideal, but during the day the adrenaline ensures that I stay awake. There is a lot of excitement before the race, but when you are already in the car and the light turns green, everything falls into place and I feel that I am in the best place.

Do you have a favourite racing moment from your career so far?

There are many, it would be difficult to single out one. Winning your first championship is always a fantastic feeling, but the road leading here is the lasting experience. For example, when our little fans found out that the water in our engine was boiling and they waited for hours in the cold with water in their hands to help. Of course they didn’t know that this was not allowed, but I was very touched by the love of the fans.

What’s been the most challenging thing for you to overcome?

Basically, I like challenges, because I can learn a lot from them. But perhaps the beginning of 2018 brought the most difficult task.

We had a race on the hard serpentin of Austria in mud and blowing snow with slick tires. We ran the last stage in the dark without seeing anything, but that was 21km and we had to find a rhythm. I think it was the hardest race of my life , but we liked it ,and we were placed 2nd in our category. In fact, the disappointment is the hardest thing to overcome for me.

Do you have any racing plans for 2023?

My goal is to participate in at least 3 disciplines of car racing in 2023 . I want to rally in the Hungarian Championship and maybe one or two foreign races will fit in. I will drive on the oldtimer’s hill climb this year too with my BMW e30 , and I plan to drive other cars on the track too. I also sit behind a simulator in e-sport competitions. I would like to perform well there as well, but for this I still need to find sponsor partners who support me.

If you could do any rally in any car, which would you choose?

As a navigator I would go in an Audi S1 ​​Quattro or as a driver, in a crosscart . I would like to go on a snowy rally. 

Do you have a favourite car?

Yes, my favourite car is a BMW.

What do you like to do for fun when you’re not racing?

There is no such thing. I also drive for fun 😀 but otherwise I like to go on trips, travel, and I like to study and make creative things.

What is your least favourite food?

Mushroom and pineapple. I hate them.

Thank You to Eszter for taking the time to chat and good luck for the rest of 2023 and beyond!