The team this year consists of the 2008 champion, Jay Price, and now you, the most experienced racer in F1. Is this a winning combination?
Yes, this combination is very capable of winning. I respect Jay as a driver and a friend, which is very important – he was so unlucky last year, but has proven that he can win, as he did in 2008. He has fantastic equipment, with a genius of an engine tuner, and a team behind him that work very well together under the watchful eye of Khalid Al Kuwari, the head of Formula racing at the Qatar Marine Sports Federation (QMSF). For myself I am trying very hard to update my equipment to be a lot more competitive to reach the podium.
So is powerboating a sport where experience really counts? At age 54, you don’t find yourself getting slower with age?
Absolutely, experience is one of the most important elements, to have endured all of the possible racing scenarios and water conditions, and to understand what the boat is doing. I don’t feel slower at all. My dear friend John Hill was 58 when he won the F1 title in 1990, beating me into second position. If you are good enough and still have the drive, it does not matter how old you are.
It can be quite a dangerous sport – what has been the appeal for you for so long?
It can be dangerous, but safety has been improved so much lately. If I had had many crashes personally, or caused someone else to crash, I would have lost that appeal to continue, but that is not the case – Russia last year was my only real accident in F1 in 20 years, and my fourth in over 40 years of racing. I enjoy the success I’ve had, the travelling, the comraderie and the competitive spirit. The appeal of F1 to me is as strong as ever, and I’d rather retire than drop down the classes.
Is it true you’ve won the World Championship in every class except this one?
Yes, every single class I have entered except F1. As I previously mentioned, I came second once to John Hill – and I only competed half of that season when I took over from the previous pilot. I was the current F3 world champion at the time, which was why I was asked to participate.
Is it tough coming back after that crash in Russia? Are you back to full fitness now?
It will be tough to come back, but it doesn’t hold any fear for me. I feel much better and have felt a huge improvement since Christmas, having regular acupunture and Chinese massages. But I am still being very cautious and have not really tried to do anything too crazy just yet.
Tell us about the Dragon boat you will be racing. How is Jay Price’s boat different to yours?
The Dragon boat is the new name for the Burgess design – Dave Burgess being the most successful boat builder in the history of the sport. They actually have not changed that much cosmetically in 20 years, just a few tweaks here and there. Jay’s boat, the Italian DAC, was copied from the Burgess initially, but they have improved it with some good development work.
Have you and Jay been talking yet to discuss tactics?
Jay and I never talk away from the circuit, but I will do whatever I can to assist him and the team, there are not any tactics to discuss. Jay has run for Qatar for so long now and done a great job, and I am the new guy.
More info on the F1 powerboat season at www.f1h2o.com. The season starts on May 8-9 in Portugal, with the race in Qatar to be held November 19-20.
