Mid-season turnaround key to Euro JK title, says Reddy

The Hyderabad-based emerged as the man to beat in the second half of the season, winning seven of the last eight races en route to his maiden single-seater championship win.

It was a marked turnaround for the 26-year-old, who had only two podiums to his name in the first eight races in the season.

Fresh from his title win, Reddy revealed how changes to his car after Round 2 gave him the extra confidence to push further in the remaining races.

“The main thing [of a turnaround] was that the car started working really good from Round 3 and since [then] I was able to focus on going quicker,’’ Reddy told Motorsport.com.

“As soon I realised the changes on the car worked for good in the first race in Round 3, it gave me the confidence to keep going [even more]. And that’s what helped me [going further].

“Coming into the final weekend, [even though I have driven on this track in a touring car] I still had to learn the tricks driving the formula car.

"But straightaway, with the car itself I had the confidence to push till the limit. I knew that if I lost it [in a corner], I will be able to bring it back [to pace].”

Extra track time added confidence

Reddy believes the extra track time competing in the Indian National Racing Championship alongside the Euro JK series helped him to build up his confidence in the formula cars.

“The additional track time helped me in building my confidence [certainly],’’ he said. “Before this year, there would be slight nervousness before the race starts.

"Now it feels completely natural. Before coming to this year, I only had 30 races under me, which boosted my competitive level.

“It [track time] definitely helped me in building my confidence, attacking the race start and the weekend from the start," he added.

Future undecided

With Reddy having taken title wins in touring cars and single-seaters in India, when asked on his future he said he has no firm plans for next year sorted out yet.

But the 26-year-old added that he is open to racing in GT, touring cars and also the LMP3 machinery. He, however, ruled out a future in single-seaters, citing his age.

“I haven’t looked into any of the stuff I would like to look at each weekend at a time,'' he said. "I’m going to focus and speak to as many people as I can.

"I'll speak to Hardy uncle [JK motorsport boss Sanjay Sharma], Antonio [Ferrari, Euro International owner] and then the drivers who’ve already raced abroad and see which teams I can [get] in touch with.

“I don’t see a future in single-seaters, although I thoroughly enjoy it. You know I’m 26. But equally I enjoy GT cars or touring cars and even possibly Endurance races in the LMP cars."