Roweb and Andrei Duna: what it means to sponsor a young Romanian driver on the road to Formula 1

Roweb and Andrei Duna: what it means to sponsor a young Romanian driver on the road to Formula 1

The Road to Performance: Andrei Duna, from His First Races to Formula 4

Motorsport is not just about speed. It is about decisions made in fractions of a second, about discipline, and about pushing forward even when things do not go the way you planned. Andrei Duna is one of the young drivers building this career step by step, from his early rallycross outings to Formula 4.

We asked him about his beginnings, what life looks like away from the circuit, and what it actually takes to chase a goal like this.

 

You started in rallycross and now you’re in Formula 4. When did you know you had to make the move to single-seaters?

That decision came when I discovered Formula 1, during the Hamilton and Verstappen battle. I was watching those races and realised I wanted to get there myself. It was pretty much as simple as that.

 

Your first race was in 2019, near Pitești. How are you different now compared to then?

A fair amount of time has passed. I would not say the feeling of driving has changed dramatically, but the experience and maturity are different. You learn to handle things in a different way.

 

You are studying maths and computer science and racing at the same time. What does a normal day look like for you?

Pretty normal, honestly. University, training, the simulator. When I have free time I spend it with friends. There are busier stretches, but I have gotten used to the rhythm.

 

What does it mean to you to be supported by a company from Pitești, the city you come from?

The fight for sponsors is tough, especially in Romania. Being backed by a serious company from my hometown means a lot. It is both an honour and one more reason to keep going.

 

How does the partnership help you in practical terms?

It gives you stability. In motorsport, without resources you simply cannot progress. Consistent support is what separates standing still from actually moving forward.

 

Motorsport and IT look like two different worlds. Where do you see the connection?

They are more similar than they appear. In computer science you need to break problems down and think systematically. You do the same thing on the circuit — you adapt, make fast decisions, and find solutions on the spot.

 

Everything happens very fast in a race. How do you keep your decision-making under control under pressure?

I try to stay calm. If I feel I am losing patience, I focus on my breathing and on what I need to do. Once concentration goes, mistakes follow.

 

Have you had moments when things went wrong on track? How did you handle it?

It happens often. The emotions are strong in the moment, but I remind myself I cannot change what has already happened. There will always be another race.

 

What separates a talented driver from one who actually makes it further?

On the circuit, the gaps between drivers are small. What matters more is what you do off it — car setup, working with the team, preparation. And budget, which directly affects how much you can train and how quickly you can progress.

 

What is the next real step and what do you need to get there?

Formula 3. You need solid results and sponsors who back you consistently.

 

If you had long-term financial stability, how would you map out your path to Formula 1?

Formula 3, finishing near the top. Then Formula 2, where you have to prove yourself race after race. If the performance is there, the opportunities come.

 

What would you say to a young person from Pitești who wants to get to where you are now?

Dream as big as you can and don’t give up. That’s it.