Alexander Rossi want to debut in the Formula 1 as an American Formula 1 driver. In 2013 Rossi perfomed in GP2 and test and reservedriver for Caterham in the Formula 1. Peter Gloudemans from OneStopStrategy.com had an exclusive interview with him.
First of all how do you look back at 2013, how was your season. Are you satisfied?
To be frank no! It was a challenging season for many reasons. I was drafted in late to cover the EQ8 Caterham Racing GP2 role, and subsequently missed all the testing and the first race. While being immediately on the podium in Bahrain was an extremely positive outcome for me, the majority of the GP2 season was all about playing catch-up. Towards the end of the season, we finally made that recovery and I was thrilled with our final podiums and felt that the win in Abu Dhabi was exactly what the team deserved.
Aside from the GP2 season I also drove in the Le Mans 24 Hours race which was great, but the biggest moment was making history by being the first F1 driver to drive at COTA during a race weekend. That was a pretty incredible and proved just how much support there is in the USA for an American driver to be competing in F1 and has really fuelled my quest to achieving that goal.
The Formula 1 experience was your best moment in 2013 but what was your most disappointing moment?
Beside Formula 1 achieving pole position in GP2 in Abu Dhabi was also a fantastic moment. To know that you are the fastest driver, with the fastest car on the track is a great achievement, particularly after having to play catch-up for the majority of the season.
I’d say my most disappointing moment was the start of the European season in GP2 when we realised we were not where we thought we were in terms of pace.
What are you planning to do in 2014?
So far the only thing that has been announced is my participation in the Daytona 24 Hours race. I will be competing with DeltaWing at the end of January as a one off venture, and it’s something I’m very much looking forward to after my taster last year in Le Mans. There are some really good announcements coming soon which I can’t reveal at the moment, I’m afraid!
How where you experience with the Caterham team?
Caterham have been fantastic to me and I am extremely grateful to Tony Fernandes and the team for believing in me and progression to an F1 race seat. As the reserve I have an important role in development work, both in testing and the simulator and it’s important for me to continue to make the difference in car development and have a influence on the progression of our F1 program.
What is the difference between GP2 and Formula 1?
You can’t really compare the two – GP2 is an excellent feeder series to Formula One and I can see why so many GP2 drivers go on to be F1 drivers. However nothing compares to an F1 car. The technology, the huge team around you, the speed of everything… There’s nothing like it, other than you race on the same circuits on the same weekends.
Most of the American drivers go for NASCAR or Indycar. It looks like you are focusing on Formula 1. Why Formula 1 and not indycar?
Formula One has always been my goal and personal aspiration. I moved to Europe when I was17 to compete in various feeder series and it is my sole aim. I would like to represent America in Formula One, and as awareness of the sport grows in the USA, we’re on track to do just that. The amount of support and growing love of F1 is clear in the USA and I think there is a real opportunity for the future. We have top class athletes in every other international sport, why not F1?
There are not many Americans who reached Formula 1. Is it for an American more difficult to reach Formula 1?
In some ways yes, but mainly due to the fact that most junior series are based in Europe. If you want to achieve F1 you need to have a long term plan and make big sacrifices in your life to achieve that. It is also a long term commmitment by your personal sponsors and investors, especailly with the cost of European racing and the time it takes to move to the top level. This requires funding, results on track, tenacity and patience for everyone involved. However with F1 growing in America, and with there being potentially more than one race in the States, it will be a more achievable goal now.
Do you think you are ready for Formula 1?
Absolutely. Of course changing any series is a new challenge, but I’m very quick to adapt and make the most out of the car. I’ve driven Formula One cars for quite a few years now, so I’m ready to take that step and was ready in 2013 as well. It’s what I’ve been working for all my life, and with the experience as a reserve and test driver, I feel I am well placed to make that step.
How do you think about the current situation in Formula 1 in terms of sponsorship of drivers?
I think the reality is that F1, and the technology that comes with it, needs funding to survive at the moment. No driver will last in F1 without being a good driver; this is simply not possible. If a driver can bring support to the team in terms of funding, then it is something a team will look at, but never the only thing. At the end of the day, everyone wants to achieve the same thing – the best car possible, with the best driver available in it, and the best results for the team.
Thanks Alexander Rossi and Ana Goodrum for doing this interview with OneStopStrategy.com!
