It’s been great to be back in Canada for a few days following a hectic end to my racing season!
As you’ll recall from my previous column, it was a bit of a mad dash from wrapping up the Formula Renault 3.5 Series title in Spain to packing up my apartment in the UK to then hopping on a plane to head to Korea for the Grand Prix with Marussia Virgin Racing.
I’m pleased to report that life has been a little less frantic since flying back to Canada from Korea last week. I’ve been able to spend some time with my family and friends and finally take in what was a great season.
It’s nice to be able to celebrate the accomplishment with them as they weren’t able to be there in person but I know I’ve enjoyed a lot of support from a lot of people here in Canada. Speaking of support – the other great thing about being back home is I’ve been able to cheer on the Toronto Maple Leafs. So far so good as far as their season’s concerned but as we all know, the hockey season is a long one!
I’m hoping F1 will make a few new fans this weekend as we all head to New Dehli and the Buddh International Circuit for the inaugural Indian Grand Prix. I’m excited to be going there with Marussia Virgin Racing and seeing the birth of a new event on the F1 calendar. Irrespective of the championship being won, I’m sure it’ll still be an entertaining race given there’s still plenty at stake for everyone else behind Sebastian Vettel.
India’s at least been exposed to F1 before thanks to the likes of Narain Karthikeyan and Karun Chandhok both having raced in the sport, and both present this weekend, but they’re finally going to experience an actual race and all that brings with it.
As it’s a brand new event everyone’s heading a bit into the unknown. We’ve all seen the 5.137km track layout but that’s about it. I know the engineers at Marussia Virgin Racing have been working hard on the data available so our race drivers, Timo (Glock) and Jerome (D’Ambrosio) can be as prepared as possible heading into Friday morning’s first practice session.
We’ll all review that data but we’ll get to review the track up-close and personal for the first time on Thursday morning’s track walk. It goes without saying that it looks considerably different behind the wheel but you notice all sorts of things that assist you on your lap.
Speaking of being in a Formula One car, I’m starting to look forward to the ‘Rookie Test’ in Abu Dhabi next month. My prize for winning the Formula Renault 3.5 Series is a test in the Lotus Renault GP R31 Formula One car. It’s been a consistent top-ten performing car this year so I’m keen to sample it for myself.
Having the opportunity to work with everyone at Marussia Virgin Racing throughout this season as a reserve driver has definitely been a fantastic education for me and it also means I can head to the test with Lotus Renault GP armed with a far greater understanding of how a team works and what to extract from the opportunity.
There’s no thrill like the thrill of driving a Formula One car. That said, as the fans in India will see this weekend, there’s also no greater spectacle in motorsport than seeing a pack of Formula One cars charging off the line and fighting it out into the first turn. They’re in for a treat and I’m looking forward to being there with them for another slice of Formula One history.
Robert Wickens
@robertwickens.com
www.robertwickens.com
As you’ll recall from my previous column, it was a bit of a mad dash from wrapping up the Formula Renault 3.5 Series title in Spain to packing up my apartment in the UK to then hopping on a plane to head to Korea for the Grand Prix with Marussia Virgin Racing.
I’m pleased to report that life has been a little less frantic since flying back to Canada from Korea last week. I’ve been able to spend some time with my family and friends and finally take in what was a great season.
It’s nice to be able to celebrate the accomplishment with them as they weren’t able to be there in person but I know I’ve enjoyed a lot of support from a lot of people here in Canada. Speaking of support – the other great thing about being back home is I’ve been able to cheer on the Toronto Maple Leafs. So far so good as far as their season’s concerned but as we all know, the hockey season is a long one!
 |
| Robert Wickens in Spain, Barcelona. (Photo: Renault) |
I’m hoping F1 will make a few new fans this weekend as we all head to New Dehli and the Buddh International Circuit for the inaugural Indian Grand Prix. I’m excited to be going there with Marussia Virgin Racing and seeing the birth of a new event on the F1 calendar. Irrespective of the championship being won, I’m sure it’ll still be an entertaining race given there’s still plenty at stake for everyone else behind Sebastian Vettel.
India’s at least been exposed to F1 before thanks to the likes of Narain Karthikeyan and Karun Chandhok both having raced in the sport, and both present this weekend, but they’re finally going to experience an actual race and all that brings with it.
As it’s a brand new event everyone’s heading a bit into the unknown. We’ve all seen the 5.137km track layout but that’s about it. I know the engineers at Marussia Virgin Racing have been working hard on the data available so our race drivers, Timo (Glock) and Jerome (D’Ambrosio) can be as prepared as possible heading into Friday morning’s first practice session.
We’ll all review that data but we’ll get to review the track up-close and personal for the first time on Thursday morning’s track walk. It goes without saying that it looks considerably different behind the wheel but you notice all sorts of things that assist you on your lap.
 |
| Photo: Marussia Virgin Racing |
Speaking of being in a Formula One car, I’m starting to look forward to the ‘Rookie Test’ in Abu Dhabi next month. My prize for winning the Formula Renault 3.5 Series is a test in the Lotus Renault GP R31 Formula One car. It’s been a consistent top-ten performing car this year so I’m keen to sample it for myself.
Having the opportunity to work with everyone at Marussia Virgin Racing throughout this season as a reserve driver has definitely been a fantastic education for me and it also means I can head to the test with Lotus Renault GP armed with a far greater understanding of how a team works and what to extract from the opportunity.
There’s no thrill like the thrill of driving a Formula One car. That said, as the fans in India will see this weekend, there’s also no greater spectacle in motorsport than seeing a pack of Formula One cars charging off the line and fighting it out into the first turn. They’re in for a treat and I’m looking forward to being there with them for another slice of Formula One history.
Robert Wickens
@robertwickens.com
www.robertwickens.com