Photo: Jakob Ebrey Photography
Frederick Lubin is aiming to “come back stronger” for next weekend’s GB3 round at Oulton Park after a season blighted by illness.
The Arden driver was forced to sit out July’s two rounds at Donington Park and Spa-Francorchamps after being diagnosed with myocarditis, a serious virus which causes inflammation of the heart muscles.
The condition also prevented Lubin from training out of the car, with doctors having to be sure he was not risking any long-term damage to his heart before clearing him to return.
“I’m happy to be healthy and able to do this again, it’s just disappointing [the season] hasn’t gone the way it should have,” Lubin told Formula Scout.
“It’s been tough. I think six weeks with just no fitness would have been ok, six weeks being ill plus no fitness it’s where it was a massive hindrance.”
Lubin, in his second year of single-seater racing after coming ninth in British Formula 4 in 2020, was back in action in August at Snetterton and Silverstone and came away with two fifth places despite lack of fitness causing him to struggle in the car.
He is currently 11th in the standings, with two fourth places from the opening two rounds standing as his best finishes prior to becoming ill.
“Snetterton was a real struggle, and Silverstone was even more physical than that, probably the toughest weekend physically I’ve ever had, I even had to sit out some of the [pre-event test] sessions.”
With a break in the calendar between the Silverstone and Oulton rounds, Lubin feels confident this will enable him to return stronger next time out.
“I’ve got three solid weeks now, I’ve had two race weekends back under my belt, I see there is no reason why I shouldn’t come back to Oulton stronger.”