An interview with Ferrari Challenge champion Florian Merckx
You probably know Florian Merckx as the owner of the insane, camouflage-wrapped V12 Hybrid LaFerrari hunting the streets of Monaco. But that’s not all; he’s also a Ferrari Racing Driver, a Ferrari Challenge Pro Champion, and an artist! We’ll make you discover the different aspects of his life, from racing to lifestyle!
Photo: Ferrari
How did you get involved as a racing driver?
I started go-karting when I was around 4 years old. I actually remember very well that day; my feet couldn’t reach the pedals, so I had to sit on the instructor’s lap. Discovering the feeling of speed for the very first time actually blew my mind.
At age 15, I moved to quad racing with a Yamaha YFZ-450. I raced in the national championship for two years and went back to go-karting.
It was only when I was 23 years old that I got closer to Ferrari. I had the chance to take part in the driving lessons, ‘Corso Pilota’, organized by Ferrari in Maranello. It was an unforgettable experience! And as I was quick, they introduced me to the Ferrari Challenge championship. I always had a good relationship with them and a great feeling with the car, so I did everything I could to be able to start racing in the European championship.
What initiated your passion for cars?
As far as I remember, I’ve always been fascinated by cars. I think it’s probably from my younger days in go-karting. The feeling of learning to go faster lap by lap, the spirit of competition, being better than the others with the exact same car I also enjoy their visual aspect and simply look at them, studying their lines and design. It’s probably a never-ending love story!
Was your childhood all about racing (go karts and stuff)? Or was your racing career an unexpected one?
I always tried to be as close as possible to this environment, as racing has always been my biggest passion. I remember spending countless hours on all the Belgian go-kart circuits, but I never imagined I would have the opportunity to do all the things I actually did.
What made you pick Ferrari over other racing teams?
The first time I drove the car, I immediately had a great feeling; everything felt natural, as if the car were an extension of my body. Since then, I've tried other race cars, but nothing felt as natural; the feeling of racing a Ferrari is unbeatable.
Photo: Ferrari
Where was your first ever competitive race, and when?
My first race on a European level was in 2014 in Monza, Italy.
After winning the Trofeo Pirelli APAC in 2016, how did you deal with all the fame and media attention?
It was fantastic! I worked hard to win this title, so I was mentally ready for whatever would come my way after that. I usually feel quite comfortable communicating and working with the media, so that was a very enjoyable moment.
Of your 47 races contested in Corse Clienti, which one was your favorite?
Difficult question! I can’t choose one as the emotions have been so strong and different each time, but my top 3 are:
Portimao 2014:
My first victory was indescribable. I remember standing on the podium and feeling my whole body shake. It felt like I wasn’t touching the ground anymore; I was flying. It's definitely the biggest amount of happiness I’ve ever had in my life, by far.
Singapore 2016:
Because of the atmosphere, it’s such a privilege to be able to race on this very technical street circuit in front of the whole Formula 1 paddock. Winning in Singapore was magaic!
Spa-Francorchamps 2018:
My home race. I hadn’t raced for almost two years, and the level of competition was massive with multiple champions around like Nicklas Nielsen, who has now been promoted to WEC and is the official GT Ferrari driver. I was not really expecting to win, so it was a big surprise! And you know, it’s Spa...
What is your favorite track, and why?
Probably Singapore, for its technical side. The walls are so close, you can’t afford to make a mistake. It’s really challenging to race a street circuit. I also like Mugello quite a lot.
What was your worst day?
In racing, probably my race at Le Mans with the Ferrari Challenge. It was a dream for me to race such an iconic circuit, so I was really hoping for a good weekend, but it ended up being a disaster. I had a gearbox failure on the first lap of the first free practice session. It took the whole day to repair the car. I had to start the qualifying session without a single lap of practice completed. At the start, I tried to overtake a few cars, but on the first braking zone, two cars took me in a sandwich. My steering wheel was misaligned after that, and I tried to keep on going, but when I arrived at the next braking zone, some air bubbles went into my braking liquid due to the first contact. I hit the brakes, but the car didn’t stop. I massively crashed into another car, and my race was over. It felt terrible.
Le Mans stays on my all-time dream list, so I really hope to have another chance to come back there and have a better outcome!
Apart from being a racing driver, what is your favorite hobby?
I was born to an artist mother, so I’ve always been encouraged to develop my creativity. For example, I have personally designed all my racing liveries through my career, and I have created designs for more than 15 other race cars as well as helmet designs, racing overalls, logos, etc.
I love photography, editing, painting, and videos. Music is a massive part of my life as well. I actually see art in everything; it can be in each one of our movements, the way we speak, the way we dress, etc. To me, there are no limits on how art can be expressed.
You own a special edition Ferrari LaFerrari; tell us more about it and its unique wrap.
I think this car is a masterpiece. Not only for its design but also technically speaking, it’s a very impressive one. All the limits are pushed very far away; you can enter the corners so fast, and the level of grip is something I never thought I could expect from a road car. The power is brutal, and the torque is never-ending; it just keeps on going and going.
If you want to drive it properly, you really need skills; otherwise, it’s better to take it easy because this car is wild. Coming to the camo design, I wanted to create something unique and take the visual aspect of that car to a whole new level. It’s the project itself that excites me more than anything else—the idea of doing unexpected things.
We're curious: where did you get the idea for the wrap on your LaFerrari?
The inspiration came from Jon Olsson’s Audi RS6, but I wanted to do it more extreme and without the red line in the center. I added the yellow headlights because it adds an "Endurance" look and a little touch of color on top of the all-monochrome camo.
Which is your favorite Ferrari, and why?
The 1958 Ferrari 335 Sport Scaglietti Spider Do I really have to explain why? Just have a look at it. ;-)
Photo: Remi Dargegen
And for the modern Ferraris, definitely the Monza SP2, the lines are simply astonishing.
Photo: Atomic80
Do you think Ferrari should build an SUV?
The question that divides all enthusiasts! From an ethical point of view, I understand that some people find it questionable, as Ferrari has always been a sporty brand with a commercial image tightly linked to its racing activities. But from a business point of view, yes, 100%. As they are now listed on the stock exchange, and with the arrival of the Lamborghini Urus, Ferrari must release an SUV. We live in a world that is evolving very rapidly, and the automotive market is no exception. As Darwin said, ‘It’s not the strongest of the species that survives; it’s the one that is the most adaptable to change.’ I think Ferrari shouldn't wait too long before unveiling that project. I am confident they will produce a great car, and I am curious to discover what it will look like!
What are you afraid of?
I am not particularly afraid of anything, as I believe that things usually happen for a positive reason, so I am always pretty confident when bad things come my way. If something bad happens, I always think things could be even worse, and I have learned to automatically see solutions or opportunities in complex situations.
Have you made any mistakes that you regret later on?
Of course, I think I wouldn’t be human if I answered no. We all make mistakes every day, whether they are small or big. Mistakes are actually positive, as they are part of our personal growth process. The key is to be aware of that, learn from it, not recreate it, and adjust our behavior accordingly. One common mistake that we should avoid is not seizing opportunities at the moment they are on our path.
How does it feel to be famous?
Haha, that’s a funny one! I don’t consider myself famous. Sometimes people recognize me, and they are very positive and kind, so it’s always a nice feeling.
If you could meet anyone, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
I would have loved to meet Niki Lauda; he was such an inspiring person.
I would love to meet Eric Thomas, the motivational speaker. I used to listen to this guy for years, and he actually helped me change my life over time. His words provided me strength on many different occasions, including when I had to make some difficult personal choices or when I was fighting for the championship.
"If you can dream it, you can do it." Do you agree?
100%.
I think everything starts in our minds. Every win or loss.
We have the faculty to build our lives, starting with our thoughts and our vision. The outcome depends on how strong we are mentally to not quit, no matter how many obstacles we will face along the way or how long it could potentially take. If you know that you are willing to sacrifice anything to accomplish a goal, you will always succeed. The question is: how much are you willing to sacrifice?
You recently revealed your helmet and car designs on your own Instagram page. Needless to say, you are instantly recognizable! Is there something that inspires you to create these unique and amazing designs, or does it simply come naturally?
I did receive quite a lot of positive feedback after posting all these designs, which is always rewarding. When I design automotive liveries, I always try to enhance the already existing lines of the car. My goal is to maximize the sportivity, aggressiveness, or classical characteristics of the car, depending on the requests of the client; it also has to fit with their tastes and personalities. For my own liveries, I tend to create clean and futuristic looks, as that is what I like the most.
Helmets are different as they are very personal to the drivers. I usually have to compose with the ideas of the clients, but it does happen sometimes that they trust me and give me complete freedom. In this case, I try to use the opportunity to innovate, develop unexplored ideas, and create unique creations.
How are you spending quarantine? Have you got any movie or series recommendations for our readers?
Well, this quarantine period has actually been great for me. As we’ve been forced to stop traveling, I enjoyed re-creating a more "normal" rhythm of life, and it gave me the opportunity to train more than ever. I specifically focused on my cardio by doing runs of about 8km every day, added to bodyweight workout sessions four days a week.
About the movies I am not much of a TV addict, so if I could advise you something, it would probably be to use your time more efficiently rather than losing it in front of a screen. Create, build, think, and help others. There’s more for you in this life than watching TV.
Any advice for the fans who would like to follow the same path as you?
First, actually believe in your dream. But more importantly, make it work. In motorsport, you can have a very high level of skills; nobody cares. 99% of the time, the blocking factor is money.
So first, analyze your environment; everybody is in a different one. Then work with what you have, do what you can, and try to find the right people who can support you or give you any help to access your dream. If you try to get people involved and supporting you, always think about how you could bring them something more than just your own personal interests. You should be able to add value to them before asking for anything in return. It’s easier to say than to do, but there is no magic trick, and it’s always better to try than to regret.
