Source: Carlin Motorsport
Carlin Red Bull driver Robert Wickens has had a busy time since the last World Series by Renault round in October. The 18 year-old Canadian has been racing for his country in A1GP, winning his first race in the series last month in South Africa. Now Wickens turns his attentions back to World Series as he joins the Carlin team at the first test of the season at Valencia this week.
You've been racing in A1GP since the last World Series race. How has that gone?
It's been good. I'm very pleased with the way in which the team and I have developed and improved. At the start of the season we were struggling a bit, but we've made a lot of progress and we've taken three podiums in the last three events, which is a good sign.
Do you think racing in A1GP has helped you ahead of the World Series season?
Driving is driving, so it wouldn't really matter if I'd been racing a kart or an A1GP car, it all helps in keeping you race fit. I think maybe one way in which racing in A1GP might have helped is in qualifying. You have to set your best time in just one lap in A1GP. That involves the ability to get the best out of the car and the tyres immediately. The tyres in World Series are what I would call peak tyres - what I mean by that is that the tyres go off quickly. If you don't get the best out of the tyre within three laps then you've lost the advantage. A1GP has also taught me to adapt to a European style of driving. I think there's definitely a different style of driving in the US compared to Europe. You can defend your line a lot more effectively in European racing, and still be within the regulations. Matt Greasley who will be my engineer in World Series is also one of my engineers in A1GP.
Why is it important to have a good relationship with your engineer?
In a race team the relationship between the driver and engineer is probably the most important in the whole team. We've seen before that the best engineer and the best driver may not always work well together. You have to lean how to communicate with each other. It's definitely a relationship built on trust.
What are the main differences between the A1GP car and the World Series car?
I think the World Series car is a more sophisticated race car. The A1GP car feels quicker, but that's because it hasn't got a lot of grip, whereas the World Series car does.
What do you think of the World Series car?
It's a nice car. The new version looks fantastic; the modifications have made it look more like an F1 car. I'm not completely sure about all the little winglets, but if it helps on track then I'll be convinced!
Do you have much experience of the World Series tracks?
No, I haven't been to most of the tracks before. I went to Estoril and Barcelona with Carlin for the final two rounds of the season last year, and I've raced at the Nurburgring in Formula BMW. I don't think that's a big handicap though, I've spent the last two years in Champ Car Atlantic, A1GP and World Series learning new tracks. I think I've got a good method of learning new tracks quickly; I won the Sprint race at the Durban street track in A1GP without having been there before.
Is there a track in particular that you're looking forward to going to?
I'm really looking forward to Monaco - I think every driver wants to race there and as the support race for F1, the atmosphere will be fantastic.
What expectations do you have before the start of the season?
I've set myself a couple of goals. More than anything, I think it's important to be consistent in World Series. Obviously I want to win races, but its important to be scoring points at very race meeting and to be consistently in the top five.
Who do you see as your main competition in World Series?
I'm not really sure who all the drivers are yet. I try not to think too much about who I'm driving against. I'm there to do a job and will always do my best and put in 100 per cent anyway.
Carlin Red Bull driver Robert Wickens has had a busy time since the last World Series by Renault round in October. The 18 year-old Canadian has been racing for his country in A1GP, winning his first race in the series last month in South Africa. Now Wickens turns his attentions back to World Series as he joins the Carlin team at the first test of the season at Valencia this week.
You've been racing in A1GP since the last World Series race. How has that gone?
It's been good. I'm very pleased with the way in which the team and I have developed and improved. At the start of the season we were struggling a bit, but we've made a lot of progress and we've taken three podiums in the last three events, which is a good sign.
Do you think racing in A1GP has helped you ahead of the World Series season?
Driving is driving, so it wouldn't really matter if I'd been racing a kart or an A1GP car, it all helps in keeping you race fit. I think maybe one way in which racing in A1GP might have helped is in qualifying. You have to set your best time in just one lap in A1GP. That involves the ability to get the best out of the car and the tyres immediately. The tyres in World Series are what I would call peak tyres - what I mean by that is that the tyres go off quickly. If you don't get the best out of the tyre within three laps then you've lost the advantage. A1GP has also taught me to adapt to a European style of driving. I think there's definitely a different style of driving in the US compared to Europe. You can defend your line a lot more effectively in European racing, and still be within the regulations. Matt Greasley who will be my engineer in World Series is also one of my engineers in A1GP.
Why is it important to have a good relationship with your engineer?
In a race team the relationship between the driver and engineer is probably the most important in the whole team. We've seen before that the best engineer and the best driver may not always work well together. You have to lean how to communicate with each other. It's definitely a relationship built on trust.
What are the main differences between the A1GP car and the World Series car?
I think the World Series car is a more sophisticated race car. The A1GP car feels quicker, but that's because it hasn't got a lot of grip, whereas the World Series car does.
What do you think of the World Series car?
It's a nice car. The new version looks fantastic; the modifications have made it look more like an F1 car. I'm not completely sure about all the little winglets, but if it helps on track then I'll be convinced!
Do you have much experience of the World Series tracks?
No, I haven't been to most of the tracks before. I went to Estoril and Barcelona with Carlin for the final two rounds of the season last year, and I've raced at the Nurburgring in Formula BMW. I don't think that's a big handicap though, I've spent the last two years in Champ Car Atlantic, A1GP and World Series learning new tracks. I think I've got a good method of learning new tracks quickly; I won the Sprint race at the Durban street track in A1GP without having been there before.
Is there a track in particular that you're looking forward to going to?
I'm really looking forward to Monaco - I think every driver wants to race there and as the support race for F1, the atmosphere will be fantastic.
What expectations do you have before the start of the season?
I've set myself a couple of goals. More than anything, I think it's important to be consistent in World Series. Obviously I want to win races, but its important to be scoring points at very race meeting and to be consistently in the top five.
Who do you see as your main competition in World Series?
I'm not really sure who all the drivers are yet. I try not to think too much about who I'm driving against. I'm there to do a job and will always do my best and put in 100 per cent anyway.