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Thomas Randle gets the all-clear for S5000 return at Grand Prix
Rising star Thomas Randle has been given the best news possible on a health front, paving the way for his involvement in next week’s Australian Formula One Grand Prix.
After battling testicular cancer across summer, Randle was sweating on blood tests to determine if he would have to undergo chemotherapy – which would have ruled out a start in the VHT Australian S5000 Championship at Albert Park.
But the 23-year-old was given the news he craved from his oncologist, and for the moment his chemo appointment has been postponed.
“My doc had made a booking for me to undergo chemo, and we’re both as happy as each other to be ringing up and cancelling that session,” Randle beamed after being given the good news by Professor Joseph McKendrick.
“It’s better to be cautious right now, and we’ll continue to monitor my blood levels, but for the moment, I couldn’t be more relieved.”
“Each blood test right now I have is like a hurdle, today I’ve been able to jump over it, and now I’m off running towards Albert Park, so that’s the best news I could have hoped for.”
The positive news allows Randle to now focus on making his debut at the Melbourne street race in the popular S5000 category, a support category alongside the opening round of the Formula One season.
In an extra bonus, Randle will partner former Formula One ace and 11 time Grand Prix winner, Rubens Barrichello, at Team BRM.
“I got to know Rubens last September when he was out here to race the S5000 at Sandown, and it was so cool that we hit it off straight away,” Randle said.
“He’s been a constant support throughout my struggles over the past month – so I couldn’t be more thankful to him for always checking in.”
“It’s crazy to think that I first attended Albert Park as a 10 year old back in 2006 – Dad and I sat in the Fangio stand and I vividly remember watching Rubens, and now to go back there to race for the first time, with him as my teammate – is awesome!”
Randle will join a star-studded field including Barrichello, plus former Melbourne GP race winner Giancarlo Fisichella next Tuesday for a test session at Winton, before the action begins at Albert Park next Thursday.
“We run three races across the GP weekend, with the feature race on Sunday in what will be the biggest crowd I’ve ever raced in front of before, so it will be an exciting time,” Randle said.
“I just want to thank Form 700 and Alabar for coming onboard with our project, as well as ACT Fence Hire and DeVilbiss for continuing their support with me from our Super 2 program.”
The positive diagnosis also clears the way for Randle to race next month at Tasmania’s Symmons Plains in the second round of the Super2 Series, where he sits second in the standings.