FreeStyle Libre 2, Motor Racing and Training

By Ben Wallace, professional racing driver with Type 1

Disclaimer: The information provided is not intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your healthcare professional about your diabetes management. Individual symptoms, situations and circumstances may vary.

Approved on 15/10/2021

I set the alarms in advance of a test day (which replicates a race which wasn’t an option during the pandemic) to keep a close eye on my glucose levels, which can change a lot during racing because of the physical and mental demands of the sport.  The early alarm adjustments let me make any correction sooner, if my glucose levels are getting too low or high. These adjustments are very important before a race and have a big effect on my performance during a race – and training too.

Help with the day job too

The benefits of the FreeStyle Libre 2 system apply as well to my other work. I work with cars, customising and maintaining them. Therefore most of the time, I have dirty hands and it would be impossible to finger prick with a conventional blood glucose meter.  Thanks to the FreeStyle Libre 2 system, this is not an issue.  I only need to swipe my phone over the sensor on my arm^†, using the FreeStyle LibreLink app^◊.  This allows me to continue with my work, without regular breaks and the alarm will warn me early enough if I need to react.

I also took the opportunity to expand my business, providing an engine cleaning service, remapping vehicles and I’m currently taking up a venture in vehicle wrapping.

Necessary adjustments

Another great benefit for me is that I can wear my sensor during my training sessions in the gym and even during a quick swim in the pool or under the shower^₸.

During the pandemic, the FreeStyle Libre 2 system, played a big part in helping me control my glucose levels. My daily routine changed massively, with gyms being closed and racing being stopped. I built a racing simulator to keep practising – the hand-eye coordination in particular – also useful if ‘real-life’, but that’s not quite as physical as the real thing!

I did have to re-adjust my bolus and basal insulin, due to not being as active as before the pandemic. Not being able to train meant I had to increase my bolus and basal and maintain my diet.

My whole routine changed and I no longer needed to prep leading up to a race so had to re-balance my diet and exercise to be more evenly spread over a whole week rather than concentrating on the four days leading up to race day. And having visibility of my glucose levels and patterns^φ during that time with the FreeStyle Libre 2 system was a huge help.

And now that things are opening up again, we are slowly starting to look at options returning back to racing, which is exciting. I will be relying on the FreeStyle Libre 2 system to support me through this next phase of transition.

Ben Wallace is a professional British GT motorsport racing driver and a FreeStyle Libre ambassador.