Interview with Ventis Didrihsons, FPWS Pro Division winner at Albert Park in Melbourne, Australia
Jean-Michel Rucheton:
Congratulations Ventis for you first win of the season!
With two solid 2nd place performances in Brasil and Bahrain, you were already tied for first at the top of the rankings before Melbourne. However, unlike last season where you dominated almost right from the start by combining top pace and consistency, things have not been easy so far this year. Your direct challengers have been leading the charge in the first couple of races, showing impressive form and even gaining the upper hand on you. In Melbourne, you had to answer the call and you did, in the most convincing manner, leading the whole race and leaving Bahrain's winner, Jamie Blewitt, over 50 seconds behind. Were you confident before the race you would eventually be able to turn things around and regain the momentum? Or do you feel nevertheless a bit of relief that things went so well considering all the pressure that had built up on your shoulders?
Ventis Didrihsons: Thank you Jean-Michel, I'm really happy with this victory.
Yes indeed, I wasn’t able to win the race this season before Melbourne, but on other hand I was able to fight for the win, so the pace and winning potential were always there.
Both Arno and Jamie gave me a clear message – if you want to win a race, then you can’t afford a single mistake and that’s what I managed to avoid at Albert Park.
Yes, I had all reasons to be confident and optimistic before the Melbourne because we were able to prepare a very competitive car and also during the preparation it looked like this track more suits to my driving style, not Arno’s, who was struggling a bit with his tire wear. But I’m realistic - it could be different at Abu-Dhabi
Will see….
JMR:
You had a great fight in lap 1 with your teammate Arno. You had pole but Arno took the better start and got ahead in T1. You jumped right back at him, and were able to pass him back. At one point you were even side by side in a straight before you prevailed. You seemed motivated not to let anyone ahead of you. How important was it for you to have the lead after that first lap? Was it only a good move strategy wise or did you also want to gain the mental edge?
VD: It was a nice battle with Arno. I enjoyed it, however in all three races this season I was losing position at the start so this was a good wake-up call to improve my start for the next races.
When you start from the pole position then obviously your priority Nr1 is to keep the lead, especially on a track like Melbourne and also knowing Arno’s pace and strategy – yes, it was strategy wise to attack immediately. Besides I was on softer tires than Arno which gave me a small advantage and I took my chance.
JMR:
Arno's unfortunate DNF has given you a little breather on top of the rankings. Him and Jamie now both have a DNF to drop, leaving them with very little room for error in the remaining races if they want to keep their championship hopes alive. You, on the other hand, have that safety cushion of being allowed one bad race. Is the fact that the pressure is now on your rivals going to affect how hard you push in the upcoming races? Or do you think it's way too early in the season to start calculating, and regardless of the rankings your only focus is to take one race at a time?
VD: Of course season has just started, so it’s too early for any calculations, however I agree the pressure is now on my rivals and that is good
I can be more relaxed…..well, at least till the next race.
JMR:
Three races this season, three different winners... Do you think there is room for more surprises in Abu Dhabi? Jamie Blewitt's win in Bahrain might have set an example for some of the younger wolves out there...
VD: Well, Jamie’s speed actually wasn’t like a very big surprise to me, because last season after Nurburgring GP I already said “he is the guy to be watched this season…..”
But yes, the competition is very close also considering wild-card entry option I’m pretty sure we will have some surprises….and not only from younger wolves like Chris, Jere, Teo, Jonathan….I believe drivers like Peter, Reik, Nico haven’t played their trumps yet…
JMR:
Thank you very much Ventis for answering these questions! We are all hoping to see more top notch action between you and the other contenders for the title. Good luck in Abu Dhabi!
