Q&A with Team WRT’s Ferdinand Habsburg
FIA WEC newcomers Team WRT have proved themselves as strong competition in this year’s highly-competitive LMP2 category.
The Belgian team encountered bad luck at round one in Spa and a couple of penalties hindered their chances of winning last time out at Portimao, with the team eventually claiming fourth.
Driving for the team this year is aspiring Austrian driver Ferdinand Habsburg, who has special memories from Monza after claiming his first F3 podium at the track. Here’s what he had to say ahead of round three of the WEC in our Q&A.
1. The WEC season has started pretty well for WRT – how have you enjoyed the first two races of the season so far?
“It’s a bit disappointing because it felt like we never really extracted everything that we had in the car. But positively thinking, it gives you really strong motivation to chase the other guys that have beaten you, and you can beat them in the coming races and of course as we head towards the most important race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, with all the potential we have.”
2. Next up is Monza, a track with lots of memories for you after your first F3 podium, how do you feel about going back there and is it a track you enjoy?
“Monza is fun, it’s a cool track and has some risk management involved which also comes with a lot of traffic management especially when it comes to your overall lap. I quite like it, it’s a special circuit and has a lot of history. I’m thinking back to my first race and first podium there – it was so unexpected back then so maybe we will be able to do something unexpected again this time with Team WRT.”
3. What do you think is key to success to winning at Monza?
“The key to winning at Monza is eating in a special pizzeria and the area which I can’t disclose because then everybody would know the secret of success at Monza. But it’s in food preparation.”
4. And after Monza is the big one – LM24! How are you preparing for the 24 hours (fitness regime etc?)
“I have had plenty of time to prepare for Le Mans. I need to make sure that I am well rested when I get there, able to switch on and switch off, able to sleep when necessary and getting the most out of the car by being in the simulator getting to know the track. Ultimately, I need to make everything as easy as possible for when we arrive. But I cannot deny that the nerves are getting to me with every day that gets closer, and I get more and more excited about finally racing at Le Mans.”
5. Team WRT are currently fifth in the LMP2 standings – what’s the aim for the rest of the season?
“Easy - to win the LMP2 championship!”
