It may be a lot slower on the lap time, but you do have to work hard for it. It is a tough competitive field in GTs. When you’re going up the ranks in F3, GP3 and GP2, you’re so blinkered towards Formula One, that you don’t realize other things. Coming into the GT world now, there are some great names out there. I’m learning all the time from Toni and GImmi, who are two of the best drivers in the world.
Thankfully, they’re both driving for AF Corse and they are great guys, having being a big help so far for me to improve both as a driver and a team player, a very important part of racing in GTs.
I’m really enjoying life here in the WEC and with Ferrari.
You’re racing both here and Le Mans, which will provide a challenge in the case of building up for the race at Le Sarthe. Your sportscar adventure is continuing in the USA with Starworks, having recently finished in third place after an interesting and controversial race.
It was especially the case with regards to drivers rejoining the track on the racing line, which later resulted in Alex Tagliani having that nasty crash half way through.
Yes. At one point during the race, we felt that we had no business being on the podium. We however got there, which was great for Starworks and for Peter Baron, who’s been of great support to me over in America. He gave me a leg up over there that I’ll never forget, but we did have some difficulties over the weekend.
On true pace, we weren’t really there all weekend and it was a real struggle for us. To get the podium over there was good and with doing the two races in America have really prepared me well by giving me a good insight into endurance racing, so it has helped be with regards to race day.
I know I’ve got a roof over my head, but I’ll understand the pace that I’ll have to drive at and what kind of things to look out for, such as looking in the mirrors. I have some kind of experience, but hopefully it will stand me in good stead for it.
You’ll be racing at Petit in a few weeks, so I would understand that there is a lot of hard work behind the scenes to prepare for everyone at Starworks. It’s great to see two British drivers that competed in GP2 last year are now here, with James Calado getting the drive for the team for the season.
We also now have Fabio Leimer racing in the LMP1 Category with Rebellion, which is showing an increasing trend of young drivers going to GP3, GP2 and World Series By Renault taking a look at the bigger picture.
It shows that when Fernando Alonso interviewed Mark last year, he said that there is more than “the bubble of F1.” It seems to be that way now with other drivers like yourself taking this path.
I think it is very easy to be blinkered by Formula One, as that is everybody’s goal and dream to get there. When you’re a kid, you wake up and watch F1 with your mum and dad. You think “Wow, that’s what I really want to be doing!”
I got close, but I think the dream is not yet over, but I’ve had to move to a different branch, which I am thoroughly enjoying. I had a great time in GP2 and with Mercedes AMG Petronas on the test driver program, and loved every second of it, but it was time for me to earn my keep and earn a living, as I need to do know in GTs.
Not only is it good fun, the people are lovely and it is great racing. It’s still really tough.
It really makes you work hard for that money, but it makes the results today even more satisfying, doesn’t it?
Absolutely, so fingers crossed that myself, Michele and Steve in our car can do a good job as long as the weather is kind to us, then we can be on for a good result.
Sam has made people take notice of his adaptability and it just shows how single seater racing experience can transfer in many ways to endurance racing. Plus the fact of going to a car that has relatively no downforce expands a skill set that any team will want to call on.
The race at Le Mans will put Sam to the ultimate test, but by having the experience of the driver changes and strategies that will be employed, he’s looking in good shape to do a great job. This could be the start of a new stage in his career that will see him go from strength to strength.
E Racing would like to thank Sam for taking the time out of his busy schedule on home soil and wish him, Michele, Stephen and AF Corse all the very best of luck for Le Mans this coming July.
Image courtesy Octne Photographic