The plans were already there and now the license is in order. Thibaut Courtois (31) will participate in the Spanish Formula 4 with his own team – TC Racing – from next year. Or how his other passion besides football is becoming increasingly fruitful during the rehabilitation of his knee operation.
LOOK. Thibaut Courtois also shared images of his rehabilitation on Instagram
The images are well known: in the midst of the corona pandemic, Thibaut Courtois threw himself into his racing simulator to participate in a virtual Grand Prix together with F1 driver Alex Albon (Williams). It is no secret that the Real Madrid goalkeeper has a soft spot for motorsport.
Now he adds extra impetus to it. From next year, Courtois can participate in Formula 4 competitions with his team TC Racing – or in full Thibaut Courtois Racing. Not himself, but as owner. Courtois appointed Roberto Merhi (32) – a Spanish ex-F1 driver – as advisor and team boss.
Courtois has also already found a number of engineers and technicians for his team. It is not yet known who the drivers will be at TC Racing, but the Limburger reportedly had a shortlist ready. With the launch of its own Instagram page, the team is also a digital reality.
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The plans to compete in F4 have been there since this summer, but now they can actually continue by obtaining a license. To be clear, the license comes from the Spanish federation (RFEdeA) and applies to Spanish Formula 4 competitions, although Courtois would also like to go international.
There is a link to Belgium in Spanish Formula 4. The championship has five races in Spain on the circuits of Motorland, Navarra, Jerez, Cheste and Barcelona. There are also two international rounds with Estoril (Portugal) and Spa Francorchamps (Belgium).
Each race weekend is divided into seven sessions. This includes two free practice sessions of 40 minutes each, two qualifying sessions of 15 minutes that determine the starting grid of each race and three competitions. Two of those three races last half an hour plus one lap, the third race lasts 25 minutes plus one lap.
Formula 4 is a relatively young championship. It was set up by the FIA in 2014 with the aim of facilitating the transition of young drivers from karting to the racing world. One of those drivers who have raced in this class is, for example, Lance Stroll. He now drives for Aston Martin in Formula 1.
“The competitions guarantee a track time of at least 180 minutes per weekend, fulfilling the main objective of the championship: to train young drivers in the best possible way for their promotion to higher categories,” says F4 Spain’s website.
Image rehabilitation
There is also encouraging news for Courtois football fans, because the goalkeeper is not only busy off the field. Courtois is continuing his rehabilitation at Real Madrid after surgery for torn cruciate ligaments.
Indoors, the goalkeeper worked on his reflexes with tennis balls. Images he shared show how he can easily pedal back and forth again. His return to the field would not be until the spring of 2024.
I also wonder whether national coach Domenico Tedesco will return to the issue surrounding our national goalkeeper when announcing his selection, who did not show up for the Red Devils in June – just before his cruciate ligament injury. Has a conversation taken place in the meantime? As far as Tedesco is concerned, the door is open.
Thibaut Courtois starts his own racing team and looks ahead to the future: “Dream of a world title with Duivels and wants to end his career at Real”
LOOK. National coach Tedesco opens the door for Alderweireld and Courtois: “Now I’m waiting for a signal from Thibaut”
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