Hogarth Member Story - Garrett Berry
From the Hogarth to the World’s Racing Circuits
Meet Garrett Berry, Hogarth member and racecar driver. We caught up with Garrett and our Health & Fitness Manager Vojin to learn more about life as a racing driver, what it takes to compete, and how the Hogarth supports his training both in and out of season.
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Tell us a bit about yourself?
Garrett started in junior karting in the United States before progressing into French F4 and completing two seasons in Eurocup-3. “Since a young age, I've really loved racing, loved motorsport. Watching my dad on TV… and then getting my first seat in F4” His rookie year was a turning point “I kind of went into it with a bit of fun… but I had a really good rookie year, two victories and four podiums. That really propelled my career.”
On Eurocup-3, he explains: “It’s kind of a spin-off to F3. It’s a more affordable championship. But we still go to the same tracks that are FIA-rated for Formula One… still very good tools to progress our careers and a really strong and competitive championship.”
Do you have a favourite track?
Red Bull Ring “Oh, that’s a very difficult one… but I think my favourite would be the Red Bull Ring in Austria. It’s just in the middle of nowhere in the mountains. It’s just beautiful.”
The hardest tracks? Garrett points to the Algarve International Circuit (Portimão) and Circuito de Jerez as some of the most demanding. “Both are very high physical, high demand tracks where you're constantly getting 2 to 3 g load in the corners.” Three Gs sustained through high-speed corners is not your everyday driving experience. As he puts it: “When you're on the road car, the motion maybe pulls a G and that’s if you're pushing it. Being able to sustain three Gs for more than a second or two seconds, it's a big difference.”
And the feeling? “It’s not every day where you get to go 250km/h and be within centimetres of another car and just push that thrill. It’s just amazing.”
How does that compare to the Hogarth roundabout?
“I’d say there’s a bit too much traffic there at the moment. You can’t really hit that at full speed yet.” We’ll stick to the speed limits on that one.
What’s the hardest part of racing?
Physically, it’s relentless. “it’d be the neck and the core stability. We have no power steering… we hit up to about 25 Newton metres of peak force in the corners. It can be up to 70 kilos of peak force through the steering wheel that we have to sustain or turn.” Add to that sustained G-forces and elevated heart rate: “When your heart rate’s at 180 beats per minute for 30 minutes at a time… it’s just keeping the body going.” Mentally, focus is everything.“The hardest thing mentally would be staying focused.”
How does the Hogarth support your training?
Garrett uses the full range of facilities to stay race-ready. “From the main gym, to the cardio section, the stretching area, even the high intensity room… and the sauna is a lifesaver living in the UK.” Recovery plays a huge role in his routine. “I’ve been to the gym six, seven times a week… to be able to keep my body fit and ready, the recovery needs to be on it as well.”
Beyond the facilities, it’s the atmosphere that stands out. “It’s very community focused… you have people from all over the world, many different backgrounds. No one person’s story is the same.”
What do you do to get your neck strong and ready?
One of the most important and unusual parts of his training is neck work. “I actually have this harness that I use. It allows you to get load into your neck as safely as possible.” Training involves isolating each direction under load to mirror the demands of the car. Early sessions were brutal. “It’s always funny when you try and put a button-up shirt on and you can’t button the top button.”
What advice would you give others training towards a goal?
Whether it’s racing, a marathon, or any personal challenge: “Give it everything you have. There’s no point in giving it 80%… give it 100. And if it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t work out. But you can’t say you didn’t try.”
What are your career highlights so far?
“I kind of have two key standouts.”
• Winning at a French street circuit in Pau. One of the final races held there.
• Taking his first Eurocup-3 victory at a track he loves.
“There’s no better feeling than winning.”
What is next for Garrett?
“In the off-season, everybody wants to know…” Garrett is considering a move from single-seaters to GT racing. “I’m thinking of making the switch from formula cars into GT cars… maybe sharing the car with two to three different drivers instead of just myself. Cars like BMW GT3 Rs and BMW GT4… more road cars but still having that track element.”
Follow Garrett’s Racing Journey
Garrett shares racing updates, behind-the-scenes moments and career highlights on Instagram at @gberryracing.