KEY POINTS:
After a successful official Formula One test with Red Bull Racing in Jerez, Spain, Palmerston North teenager Brendon Hartley is on the cusp of becoming our next F1 driver.
He completed more than 400km of testing, setting the third-fastest time, gained his Super Licence, which allows him to test and race Formula One cars, and gave the car back in one piece.
All of which made a great impression with the team.
Most would give their right arm to be in his position, but, as they say, "it's lonely at the top".
"I first came here at 16 and was on my own," said Hartley from Europe. "I'm not going to lie, sometimes it's quite hard for me. I'm living out of a suitcase all the time and travelling all the time.
"I'm not going to complain about the lifestyle I have, it's a bit special but you have to be really organised. It's a strange way of life."
It is possible to deduce that Hartley may have been born with the motor racing gene. His dad raced, his older brother raced and still does, so he grew up around the smells and sounds of the sport. By 6 he was racing karts, and in his own words, never really looked back.
"I've always had the want and will to win from the very start, and from the age of 6 or 7 told everyone I wanted to be a Formula One driver, although I didn't know how.
"The family was a big influence and although my dad pushed me quite hard he was always very supportive and always wanted the best for me," said Hartley.
To be able to drive at such speeds, while suffering the effects of up to 4.5Gs, and constantly thinking about what the car is doing, drivers would have to supremely confident beings.
"When I was younger I was always quite confident but to be honest now, I'm not the most confident person and not always too sure of myself," said Hartley.
"I was always winning and wanting to win. I'm always worrying on the way to a race meeting whether I'm going to be fast enough, and in a way that's what drives me forward and keeps me going fast and wanting to improve.
"I'm always trying to work out how to be the fastest and wanting to learn more and more. If you're too confident you'll never really push yourself."
Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher had a similar mental approach when he said, "Every time I hop into the car I am learning something more."
Motor racing may look glamorous on the TV but F1 would have to the most cut-throat of all the elite sports, there's just so much at stake. There are hundreds of drivers chasing just 22 seats.
"You've got to be able to do more than just go fast," said Hartley.
"You have to be able to understand people to make things work because you're the last piece of equipment that makes the car go fast. You have to get people to work harder for you than your teammate to get an edge. Communication is the most important thing. But you've got to watch out for all the mind games even in your own team. It's hard to make friends in racing, as everyone wants to get one step ahead of you."
