New challenge for Sophia Flörsch (19)! The Munich motorsport hope will start in 2020 on the long-distance race in the European Le Mans Series.
- Sophia Flörsch (19) was quiet after the horror crash in Macau.
- The 19-year-old from Munich is back behind the wheel in the cockpit.
- In the interview, Flörsch talks about her plans and hopes for a Formula 3 cockpit.
Munich - Sophia Flörsch forms the Richard Mille Racing Team with Formula 1 test driver Tatiana Calderon (26) and ex-DTM driver Katherine Legge (39). An assignment at the 24 Hours in Le Mans is also likely. The hope for a Formula 3 cockpit is vague. A six-figure sum is currently still missing for the budget of one million euros. The interview:
Ms. Flörsch, Formula racing compared to long distance, what's the difference?
Sophia Flörsch : I have to reverse my polarity a bit. So far, qualifying has been crucial. On the long haul, it loses importance because a lot can happen in four hours. Strategy and technology also play a major role. In formula racing, the motto was simply full throttle.
Does this help you for your development as a pilot?
Flörsch : I want to drive as many kilometers as possible and gain experience, which is why I use every training opportunity. The LMP2 cars are as fast as Formula 2 cars. They have 600 hp at 930 kg, the car pushes right and has large wings, so a lot of aerodynamic downforce. In the tests in Aragon we reach 335 km / h on the straight, which is great.
A team of women ensures media attention. How do you see that?
Flörsch : We don't want to be a marketing number, we want to prove that we can drive men around the ears. But I still don't know where we are because there is no comparison with other teams.
A Le Mans start is planned. What would that mean to you?
Flörsch : Le Mans in the LMP2 at the age of 19, that's very blatant, almost abnormal. We are still waiting for the final confirmation, but for me a dream would come true. As a racing driver, you just want to tick this event off your wish list.
What about your Formula 1 dream? Does he live on?
Flörsch : I won't let that put me off. An F3 cockpit would still be available to me with a top team. If everyone keeps their 2019 promises, I could sign right away. Otherwise the budget gap gapes ...
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Is that annoying?
Flörsch : Yes, it is annoying. Formula cockpits are awarded for money. Not by talent. That 99.9 percent depends on the financial requirements is perhaps the only annoying thing about motorsport. You can bequeath money, contacts and contracts. Talent very rare. Always new remakes, how dull. That makes every sport boring in the long run.
After your Macau accident, you were en vogue. What was left of it?
Flörsch : Many wanted to get something done at short notice, talk a lot, but that's not me. I want partners who believe in me. There is a lot of talk about women in the motorsport scene, but I don't feel much support at the moment.
What is your long-term plan?
Flörsch : I have to sort out who really stands behind me. The plan is to get into Formula 2 through Formula 3. Formula E, WORLD ENDURANCE also attract me.
Interview: Mathias Müller
