Romain Dumas Breaks Down the Formula for Hillclimb Greatness

A Decorated Endurance Racer Turned Household Name in Hillclimb Racing

Few names in modern motorsport are as closely associated with hillclimb racing excellence as Romain Dumas. Despite his decorated career as an endurance driver, the Frenchman is also arguably the greatest hillclimb racer of the modern era. 

After his first Pikes Peak win in2014, Dumas shattered records in 2019 at the helm of the all-electric Volkswagen I.D. R, and later set the outright hillclimb record at Goodwood Festival of Speed. In this year’s Pikes Peak, his effort with the Super Mustang Mach-E won him and the Blue Oval the class win. His resume also includes victories in the Nürburgring 24, Le Mans, and FIA WEC, but it’s his mastery of unforgiving altitude and impossible roads that sets him apart.

In a recent feature written by Dumas himself, he gave a rare look into what it really takes to prepare for the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. And spoiler alert: it’s not just about having the most powerful machine.

“This race demands everything,” he wrote. “It’s the ultimate test of machine and man.” For Dumas, preparation is physical, mental, and environmental. The key variable? Altitude.

The Real Battle Is Against the Mountain

At Pikes Peak, the climb from 9,390 feet to over 14,000 feet takes place in under 10 minutes, but the toll it takes on the body is immense. “The air is so thin it’s like trying to breathe through a straw,” Dumas explained.

Reduced oxygen levels don’t just affect comfort – they degrade focus, muscle function, and reaction time. That’s a terrifying proposition when you’re taking corners at triple-digit speeds on narrow, cliffside roads.

To combat this, Dumas follows a training routine tailored specifically for hypoxic environments. High-altitude hiking and running in Switzerland and Colorado are part of the formula, forcing his body to adapt to the lack of oxygen. Cardio endurance is only one part of it; neck strength training is another. With 156 corners and high-G braking zones, hillclimb drivers experience massive strain.

“Without strong, enduring neck muscles, fatigue sets in quickly, affecting your ability to see where you’re going and react properly,” he shared.

Still at the Top, Still Setting Records

Dumas’s most recent win came at the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed, where he piloted the outrageous Ford F-150 Lightning SuperTruck in the Hillclimb Shootout. With a lap time of 43.22 seconds, the SuperTruck was even faster than the Koenigsegg Sadair’s Spear, the fastest production model in the event.

Sure, the 1,400-horsepower electric demonstrator was a huge part of the record-setting feat, but it proved once again that Dumas knows how to extract every fraction of performance from man and machine. Whether it’s climbing Pikes Peak or tearing up Goodwood, Dumas has shown the world that being the best hillclimb racer isn’t just about speed. Preparation is a huge part of the feat.