NEW TIMES ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT MIAMI RACE WEEK 2023 GUIDE 6 May 4-10, 2023 How different is the car now from the one you developed 20 years ago? Quite a lot. When I started in Formula 1 in 1996, we were refueling during the race. Some people would stop one, two, or maybe three times to refuel. That’s one reason why the car was smaller and lighter, but safety has moved forward, and with increased safety comes a mass overhead. And how have drivers evolved? The very tech-based young drivers now drive the simulator— it’s normal, the computer generation. The fitness regime is part of that. They’re astronauts or fighter pilots now. AlphaTauri and Red Bull are partner teams. How do they work together? From a driver perspective, the Red Bull Driving Development program finds young talent and pushes them through the Red Bull system. Normally, if they’re considered good enough to come to Formula 1, they would join AlphaTauri before moving on to Red Bull Racing. to success. But I feel like I am making steps all the time, and I feel that I’m growing and learning and making progress within my environment.” De Vries is similarly modest and analytical in conver- sation but gets more animated when asked to explain how a Formula 1 car differs from all the other vehicles he has piloted in the preceding 20-plus years of racing. “In terms of speeds and performance and G-forces, Formula 1 is on another planet,” he says. “The ability and the downforce those cars have to brake extremely late and carry a lot of speed through corners—honestly, it almost goes beyond your imagination.” Another unexpected light moment comes when de Vries is asked to itemize his hobbies and he has the candor to admit he doesn’t have any. “My whole life is centralized around racing,” he laughs. “I will admit that my life is quite isolated at the moment and it’s really just racing. It’s been like that for a very long time.” But de Vries has zero regrets. Why should he? He’s been racing cars since he was 5 and now, after an arduous upward climb, he’s at last lining up in an extra- terrestrial race machine in the most prestigious series on the planet. “I think that my age helps me, because I’ve had a long journey toward my dream and goal,” he says. “I guess I’m a little bit more appreciative because I know how long it took me and how many bumps I had to overcome.” De Vries pauses as the interview comes to a close. “So of course I am enjoying the moment,” he says. “But I’m not here to participate—I’m here to perform.” On a parts-supply basis, the regulations allow you to buy certain parts from other teams, so for three or four years, we’ve been taking the gear box and rear suspension from Red Bull. Beyond that we’re a stand-alone entity. I couldn’t tell you anything about their car, and I know they can’t say anything about our car other than what’s in the public domain. Now that U.S. fans have been sucked into the sport, have you noticed more interest in the wonkier side of F1? People are asking questions now. They’re digging a bit more, whereas historically, it would’ve been your superfans and techies who were into it. They’re not just interested in the characters; they’re interested in what’s going on with the cars, the technology, the travel. To learn more, check out the podcast Ready for the Big Time: F1. PUSHING THE LIMITS With 25 years of F1 experience, Jody Egginton, the technical director of Scuderia AlphaTauri, shares how the cars have evolved over the years, what factors make the best driver, and why F1 has something for everyone. Ahead of the 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix on March 5, Scuderia AlphaTauri technical director Jody Egginton chats with AlphaTauri driver Nyck de Vries in the garage. > p. 4 GETTY IMAGES/RED BULL CONTENT POOL
