ONE SEAT FITS ALL
F1 is a highly technical world, but when it comes to the car and the seat it’s rather simple: one car, one seat, one driver.
WEC is slightly different and there will be three drivers taking the same seat. But who are the other guys Mark will be seat-pooling with this season?
Timo Bernhard and Brendon Hartley in the Aussie Grit spotlight:
Brendon, what takes a Kiwi all the way to the other side of the world?
Obviously I grew up around motorsport and dreamt of F1. When I was 15 I had a massive opportunity, left home, left my family and ended up in East Germany which was interesting. I raced in Formula Renault, Formula Three, GP2 and in the LMP2 class. I have had some good and bad times in Europe. Now to be picked up by the most successful and iconic Le Mans team is incredible.
Timo, not quite such a long drive for you from Germany hey?
(Laughs) No, not really. I started in go karts and then drove Formula Ford for two years before Porsche picked me up which was the jackpot of my life. I’ve been with them now for 15 years and it’s been great to be part of the LMP1 project from day 1.
What’s your romance with endurance racing?
Brendon: I massively enjoyed my step from single seaters to endurance racing and was surprised about how much I love it. It’s quite unique to share the car with team-mates. It’s something you don’t do in a single seater. But when you start working together and form relationships with your team mates it’s great, an amazing part of racing to be in. It’s a team effort, it’s not just about the individual any more. You are part of this big team and as the driver you are the final piece of this big puzzle.
Timo: Endurance racing has its very own appeal. You have to be an all round driver, the cars are fast, you have to get your head together and focus on every single detail, manage traffic and race at night – the list goes on…
What can I learn from you guys?
Brendon: I can help you out on how best to squeeze yourself into the car and seat as you’re similar in height to me ☺ Joke aside… it’s a really unique opportunity with me being the youngest in the program and obviously the least experienced. But I am sure I’ll be learning from you guys and continue to develop as a sports car driver.
Timo: I think I can definitely share my experience from the endurance racing side, the specialities of driving at night, reading the traffic and overtaking as this is also something I know well from the other side when I was racing GT cars.
Is the seat still warm when you get in after me?
Brendon: It was a bit warm the other day mate and actually a bit sweaty.
Mark: Yeah long stint mate…
Timo: Oh yes, it’s almost hot!
Ends//
6 Comments
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Joe
on April 8, 2014Haha what a great chat!
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Mark
on April 8, 2014Go bash some Audis boys.
Will be watching with anticipation. Hope it’s a great year! -
Bidi
on April 8, 2014I hope the others can all reach the pedals as Mark you have really long legs! Sx
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Jonathan
on April 8, 2014I hope you guys all go well. Really looking forward to WEC this year with Mark in the series now!
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peter Dale
on April 11, 2014makes us mortals appreciate the need to have similar sized drivers in each car. Cant wait to be there at silverstone ….will be cheering every lap.
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Julia Wandless
on April 25, 2014I was under the impression the 3 drivers have their own individual seat mould made that gets changed as the drivers swap. Am I wrong?
Looking forward to seeing you at Le Mans 🙂
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