ATS: Series interview with champion Frederic Vervisch

Retrospect of a champion Frederic Vervisch Frederic Vervisch is the deserved 2008 ATS Formula 3 Cup Champion. In the past two years, the Belgian displayed a lot of consistency and therefore proved to be successful. Having finished runner-up in ...

Published: Oct 30, 2008, 10:04 AM

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Retrospect of a champion Frederic Vervisch

Frederic Vervisch is the deserved 2008 ATS Formula 3 Cup Champion. In the past two years, the Belgian displayed a lot of consistency and therefore proved to be successful. Having finished runner-up in 2007, his goal for the 2008 season could only be the title. Consequently, it was a make-or-break season, for him.

Before standing on the Sachsenring podium you didn't even know that you had won the ATS Formula 3 Cup title. Have you awoken to your success, in the meantime?

Yes, I have awoken to the fact that I succeeded in realising the goal I had set myself for the 2008 season. It feels just fantastic - particularly as I had to work really hard to do so.

Why did you switch to the team of Jo Zeller at mid-season?

I just felt more comfortable at Jo Zeller Racing. And right after this move, following my difficult start into the season, I won five out of six races. It was just fantastic.

You finished runner-up in 2007 and secured the championship title in 2008. Do you already know where you will race next year?

It's difficult to say and all is down to the money. I would love to contest the GP2 Series - but only if I can do so for a good team. And that will prove to be extremely difficult as all the good seats are already gone. The money factor always represented a major problem, for me. Everything is possible in 2009 - F3 Euro Series, World Series by Renault, ???GP3???, Formula 2). In any case, I want to race in good conditions and avoid getting in a situation as the one I encountered at the beginning of the 2008 season.

Could you also imagine switching to touring-car racing?

Currently I fully focus racing single-seaters. For the future, however, I also think about other options. DTM, for instance, would be great, or the Le Mans Series.

Have you got very special memories of the past season?

Most definitely I will never forget 2008. At the beginning it was a truly difficult year and in the end it proved to be incredibly good. Furthermore, I succeeded in winning two titles in one year: the Asian Formula 3 Championship and the ATS Formula 3 Cup. That's a truly unique achievement!

Do you have an advice for other Formula 3 newcomers?

To be successful you mustn't give up. Never! Even when you think that you haven't got a chance. If you want to be successful you have to score points in virtually every race. Consistency is the key to success. What is important for you apart from motor racing? To be happy. That's the most important thing for me. And I'm happy when I can do what I want.

What is so special in motor racing, from your point of view.

It's difficult to say, but I love driving fast and taking a car to its limits. Being faster than the others feels just great.

Why did you enter motor racing?

I was ten years old when I witnessed my father racing at Spa-Francorchamps. Twelve months later, after having gotten on my parent's nerves for a year, I completed my first laps at the wheel of a rented kart, in Kortrijk. And I was hooked right away. From that day, we went karting every Saturday. I improved every single time and all of a sudden, I was involved in professional kart racing. To date, I have enjoyed every single year I spent in the kart and in motor racing. And I want to thank my father for all the efforts he has made to offer me the chance of pursuing a career as racing driver.

What do you think - where do you see yourself in five years?

In five years I will be a professional racing driver! Your reward for having won the Asian Formula 3 Championship will be a Formula 1 test? What are your expectations regarding this test? I'm very excited because of having the opportunity to test a Formula 1 car. After all, this is the dream of anybody who does his first laps at the wheel of a kart. I will enjoy it 100 percent. And who knows if the new contacts to Team Force India won't prove to be helpful for my future.

-credit: formel3.de

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