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THE wheel of fortune is turning for Bahrain race ace Hamad Al Fardan as he pushes himself to the limit to achieve an F1 dream and make his mark this weekend in the hearts of the kingdom's race fans.
Sweat glistened on his cheeks as he strained to hold up a dumbbell weight which looked remarkably like a steering wheel.
The 21-year-old is determined to be both physically and mentally ready for what will be a historic GP2 Asia round at the Bahrain International Circuit.
Hamad will be racing a Gulf Finance House (GFH)-sponsored Team iSport mean machine on Friday and Saturday. He said: "I have been waiting for the Bahrain race for a very long time now and finally it's here!
"My team arrived last night and we are more than ready. Being at home obviously is an advantage for me as I know the track here very well. I am really looking forward to this race.
"All our plans set during GP2 have worked brilliantly and I am sure we will see the same for this race."
Hamad's visit to the Gulf Air Club gymnasium was part of an intensive training programme to help maintain his weight and build up his stamina and agility.
Manolito T Tinsay, 38, Hamad's personal trainer, from Manama, has been working very closely with the racer to increase his fitness levels and work on his strength. He said: "Training is very important in all aspects of life. In every sport you must involve some sort of athleticism and fitness.
"I have put Hamad on an intense training programme in which I mix cardio, weight training and speed work-outs like boxing and agility training.
"We are training four or five times a week for at least an hour, sometimes more. He also had to go on a diet two weeks ago to bring down his weight. He was 80kg and we brought him down to 75.8kg which is suitable for his height.
"Hamad should not exceed 80kg for the race because of the suit and everything he wears. The training also helps him maintain his endurance and build his stamina."
Hamad is confident the hard work will pay off on the big day.
He said: "These past weeks, I have not stopped working hard on my fitness and on my mental preparedness. Training is very essential when it comes to international races. It is definitely a step up from F3 - I really need to work harder.
"When it comes to motor sport it's not just about the car, although obviously that is very important. You need to have the ability and agility, a supportive team, intense training and encouraging sponsors.
"My trainer finds a healthy balance for me. Driving a GP2 car can be exhausting as it affects your neck, arms, back and at times, legs. The steering wheel for example is quite heavy and although it might seem like a quick race it still takes a toll on the body.
"It takes a lot out of a driver so you need to be physically prepared for the challenge and that's where the training and preparation comes in."
Hamad is eager to put on a strong show for his supporters and to make his country proud. He said: "I would like all my fans to be there for the racing weekend. I do not want to see any empty stands and I want to hear a lot of cheers."
Hamad thanked sponsors GFH, Gulf Air and Bapco for helping him reach GP2. Another Bahrain round will follow later this year. It will be the season-closer, as a support event to the Gulf Air Bahrain F1 Grand Prix on April 24-26.
