EXCLUSIVE: interview with Bas Leinders
Bas Leinders, the Belgian test and reserve driver of the Minardi F1 Team in 2004, made the time for F1Technical to give an exclusive interview. Leinders is still active in F1, but not longer as a driver. His expertise, though, gives us a new look on the world of F1 today.
"I was the official test and reserve driver for the Minardi F1 Team in 2004. That means that I did all the Friday practice sessions at the various Grand Prix. Before that I participate in Various Single seater categories. Many people think I am Dutch because of my name but I am actually Belgian."
What is or has been your involvement in Formula One?"I am still involved in Formula One although not as a Grand Prix or test driver. I am at the moment a consultant for the Belgian television at several Grand Prix. It is a good opportunity for me to stay in contact with the F1 Paddock. I also drive the Minardi two-seater sometimes like last Tuesday in Donington Park and the week before in Silverstone. Of course I would like to get back in a current F1 seat but that is not so easy."
Are you still active in racing?"I race in the FIA GT championship with the Gillet Vertigo. It is the only Belgian car manufacturer and I think it’s very exciting to be part of the development of this project. We hope to improve the performance of the car but also the sales of the road car but it’s a long road..."
Would you consider returning to F1 or did you close that chapter?"It depends on the context. If there is a team that would like my services, I would be more than happy to find some solutions but I do not dispose of millions of Dollars to get a drive. If a potential sponsors wants me in F1 again I would not argue of course but I sacrificed a lot of things to get in Formula One also financially but that is no longer possible as I have a wife and two sons to support and as I do not come from a wealthy background, as most Racing drivers do, I have to find solutions to make a living and that is what I am doing now."
As a co-commentator for Belgian television, how closely do you follow F1?"I have to follow F1 very closely even more closely then a journalist from the writing press as they can look up certain things while writing an article, we have to get the information straight to the viewers but I like sharing my passion with other people and the inside of the F1 world is very interesting to follow."
Are you still in contact with some of the F1 drivers?"It is not very easy to stay in contact with current F1 drivers as they are always very busy. They have a lot of races and when they are not racing they are testing or fulfilling sponsor commitments. And I have to say that even though I get along very well with most colleagues, you only stay in touch on the circuit."
Who do you think will become world champion this season?"As things are going now, Michael Schumacher has a chance again and I am sure he and Ferrari will do everything in there power to become World Champion again but as long as Renault and Fernando do not make any mistakes they will clinch it."
Do you think Michael Schumacher will continue after this year? Would that depend on this year's result?"I do not think it will have anything to do with the result but rather with the motivation. Being a Formula One driver is a very demanding job, physically and mentally. So it will depend on whether Michael wants to put most of his energy in another year at a very demanding sport. Not to forget that it is also very demanding on his family and getting close to his forties he will start looking at that as well."
How would you like to see F1 evolve in the coming years? Are the proposed regulations the way to go?"It is very difficult to interpret the regulations for the future. When they proposed thme 2,4 litre V8 engine, most people thought that the only effect it would have was less top speed but the smaller engine has made the car corner a lot quicker and increased the G-Forces again. So safety has not really improved with this measure and it was only very expensive. But cutting costs is the way to go because that way Formula One will become more accessible again for smaller teams but unfortunately that is very difficult thing to do."
Is the 2008 engine freeze a good idea according to you? Why so?"A temporally engine freeze is a good thing to do at the moment. Also to see what the effects of such a measure actually will do. You can always open it up again in the future but this way some engine manufactures might catch up with the best engine and we might see more cars closer to the front and battling for a podium finish or even win."
Prodrive has been chosen as an F1 entry above the entry of your former chief Paul Stoddart. What are your thoughts about that?"Prodrive has a long history in motoracing and has a habit of working with car manufactures so you cannot say that the FIA made a bad choice also not to forget that David Richards was the Team Principle at BAR-Honda for some time and I think he did a very good job at the time. But I would love to see Paul back in the Formula One Paddock because he is a character that the sports need, if you like him or not. But Paul told me today that he has some plans and hopefully they will work out for him soon."
And as last, are you convinced that Spa-Francorchamps will regain its place on the F1 calendar? Is there a future for this mythical Belgian circuit even with Bernie Ecclestone planning expansions to Mexico and South-Corea?"Nothing is sure in Belgium, I have a feeling that the people (politicians) involved do not realise which impact Formula One has in the world and Ecclestone does not like to be played with, Formula One does not need Spa but Spa definitely needs Formula One. I would love to see the Belgium Grand Prix back on the calendar soon and some Belgium companies supporting young Belgian drivers to give them a shot at Formula One. We have several drivers in Belgium who have the talent and the devotion to make it all the way, we just have to give them a hand…"
Special thanks to Bas Leinders
