Lehdistötiedotteet - New series: "Drivers in conversation"

New series: "Drivers in conversation"

At this point I would like to present different drivers in an interview at irregular intervals, as the first driver in the interview "Michael Wittmann" (F3 World Series)


TD: Hello Michael, nice that you have agreed to be the first driver to take part in my new interview series.

MW: Hello Tom, of course, I didn't have to think twice about that, I think it's a good thing, so the fans can learn more about the different drivers.

TD: Michael, after initial difficulties at the beginning of your career, season: 31 P8, p.32 P9, S33 P4, p.34 P2 you won the F3 German Series in season 35, then you are in the F 3 Central European Series changed, where you could decide for yourself after P2 in season 36 and the series in season 37 in the overall standings. Now you have your first season in the F3 World Series behind you, which you finished at P5, how would you describe your path to this point.

MW: * laughs * You are well informed. I would describe my path to this day as rocky and hard, in my early days I had great problems understanding and understanding the car and the tires correctly, that may be because I had the wrong coach at the time and concentrated on the wrong subtleties . After the races, I often met up with my fellow drivers and talked shop. Despite all the rivalry on the track, we are still a big family with the same goals. Here I learned a lot from some, then decided to change my trainer and change my entire training program, from that moment things went uphill and I was able to secure the titles in GF3 and CEF3, the next step was then only possible be in the F3 World Series, where of course I have the right to win it.

TD: How do you see your chances in the F3 World Series?

MW: Well, I have a good feeling there, last season I was a little afraid that I would only be able to compete in the back when I saw the starting field for the first time, but it turned out pretty quickly that I was already capable of the to ride among the top places, which the fifth place in the overall standings clearly proves. P5 despite a few failures, there could have been more. I'm working hard to keep improving and I think I'm on the right track. Since I've been taking part in Skoda Training I've noticed significant improvements. I am sure that at the end of the season I will have got the best possible out of it, we will see if it will get to the bottom, I'm more of the guy who stays on the ground.

TD: Which brings us to the topic: Skoda, you have been wearing the Skoda colors since last season, would you like to tell us something about that?

MW: I can only rave about the Skoda Team. Back then everything went very quickly, after winning the F3 Central European Series, I met LePrez, the boss of the Skoda team. I told him that I've been a fan of the Skoda team for a long time, to which he replied, "I know, we've been following your career for a while." Well what can I say, everything went very quickly after that, I now have shares in the Skoda team , I was extremely well received by the entire team and I feel very comfortable there and have the full support of the team. The team's engineers are at my side with words and deeds and I regularly take part in Skoda training courses. For me it is an honor to be able to drive in the Skoda colors. The team has worked incredibly hard over the past few seasons and has made good progress. I can only say: "Support Skoda, the team deserves it!" * Grins *

TD: Does that mean we'll see you in F1 sometime?

MW: I can't answer that, there are certainly better drivers than me, of course every racing driver wants to go to the top at some point. The Skoda team builds its own drivers on a long-term basis by working in the junior series. Because I joined the team quite late, I certainly have fewer chances, but that won't be a big deal for me either. Of course it would be nice, but as I said, I'm someone who can look reality in the eye. That's why I think my way will lead me into the F2 or Indy Car series. If things turned out differently, it would be a dream, it is very clear that a team will only use the best available drivers, I would not do that any differently as team boss. Here I see more drivers like D. Pironi or J. Ragnotti in the cockpit in the long run.

TD: Michael, thank you for the frank conversation, good luck in the new season.

MW: Nothing to thank, let's go have a drink, the Skoda refreshment bar should be open.