Interview and photos by Sergio Álvarez.

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The next edition of the Goodwood Festival of Speed is a long way away, but fear not! Sergio got you covered. Delight in reading this exclusive interview recorded originally in Goodwood back in July and now available to you only on Iberianmph dot com. Many thanks to Nick and ChromeCars.

Q: What’s the main criteria behind the decision on which F1 car to use here in Goodwood? Is it yours or the organizers’?

A: The cars are all owned by ChromeCars and it’s part of the Black & Gold Collection. So this is obviously a display for Lotus JPS. The 77 is quite a famous car that had to come to Goodwood because Gunnar Nilsson raced it in the UK a couple of times. This was the weapon I was given and it’s a privilege to be here and drive it up the hill. It’s great.

Q: Are you enjoying your season so far? Could you tell us more about it?

A: I won the series (Masters Historic) in this in 2015 and then at the minute I’m currently leading the Masters Championship again in this car. My plan is to hopefully win it this year.

Q: Do you have a soft spot for Lotus?

A: I just think it’s the iconic livery but of course, you know, when Colin Chapman designed all these cars, they’re so unique. When you look at the front wishbones, like the spider web there, for their years these cars were so far advanced. Coming up with new ideas all the time and the ground effect era. It’s a privilege to be involved with this car.

Q: With classic Formula 1 cars, do you think there’s a lot to learn technology-wise? Discovering all the little details.

A: A lot of guys and girls who buy the cars they possibly followed these cars all the way through their lives. To get the opportunity to buy these cars or drive these cars is just out of this world. When you look at all the different designs – Lotus, Williams, Ferrari – people look at that and go ‘if I have the money, I want that car’.

Q: What’s your earliest memory of an F1 car?

A: It would’ve been James Hunt, so that would have been in like 1976, in a McLaren and the iconic colours but also this Lotus as well. For me, as a kid growing up and looking at Formula 1 cars, it’s always what I wanted to do. I’ve been lucky enough, I’ve driven 37 different Formula 1 cars. A dream come true.

Q: Have you driven a former James Hunt’s car?

A: Actually yes, a Hesketh that he raced a while ago. But not the (championship winning) McLaren. Not yet, fingers crossed.

Q: What’s next then?

A: I’ve driven Nigel Mansell’s (Williams) 14B, I’ve driven Ralf Schumacher’s Williams and also Mark Webber’s Williams. I’ve driven a lot. From 1958 to the newest was 2005. Now for me, I’d like drive a current Formula 1 machinery. Just for me to be involved and sit in an F1 car it’s lovely.

Q: When you travel through different eras of F1, how do they compare in terms of driver involvement?

A: The FW27 was from 2005 and that was very technical. But nowadays the amount of buttons on the streering wheel and the hybrid and everything else. I think you need like a week to learn the steering wheel. And then obviously get in and drive the car. If the opportunity arises, (I want to test) the Leyton House. I can just pick loads of cars that I’d want to drive. The newer ones are a bit more technical. I don’t think they would be as much fun as driving one of these (70s cars) because these move around a lot but through the high-speed corners they (current cars) don’t move at all and under braking they’d be really impressive so one day I’ll have a go.

Q: From a coaching perspective, how do drivers need to approach racing and cope, mentally, with all the information?

A: I think you’re right. I’ve been coaching drivers for years. Now it’s all the different buttons they have in the car. They’ve got to think about racing the car and overtaking and everything else and be able to go fast. But also the different modes that you can use in the car. That’s quite a big subject that’s all about improving the driver’s thinking whilst battling as well.

Q: What if I arrive to a track with no racing experience at all, however I’m loaded with Euros and I can afford it? Where do I start in the paddock?

A: It all comes down to money, it’s all money. How much money have you got and what really do you want to race. Do you want to go down the single-seater route or the GT route? So many options. I always say, try to pick something that is really cheap, cost-effective that you could be driving a fair bit and it doesn’t cost loads of money to run and look after the car. I think a lot of people they want to go racing and they don’t realize how much money it takes to actually race. It’s really just go for something that’s cheap and cheerful, get loads of laps under your belt, loads of practice and then try and work your way though the ladder after that.

Q: Driving-wise, what would you teach me in the first place? (We all know that Sergio races his Lambo SV around the streets of Madrid like a pro, check him out one day – ed.)

A: With you? The first thing really it’s the racing lines. You go to a track and it’s getting the braking before the corner and then turning in at the right point and back on the throttle. The racing line’s really important. And then the speed will come with that. It’s me showing you the racing line, using all the road on entry and exit of the corner. Once you’ve mastered the racing line, it’s speed. Like, where can you brake, where can you get back on the throttle and carry that speed through the corner which is crucial.

Q: And then you start to think about weight transfer?

A: Yes, that’s it. With historic cars, tyres do a lot of work of course, but they move around so much, on the thread of the tyre. So the car actually moves but the tyres are moving a lot more. So you have to have the confidence with the car going sideways. Then it’s really how much throttle can you get into that once it’s moving.

Q: What’s like to drive a classic F1 car in the wet?

A: For me and here (at Goodwood FOS), just gotta go for it, get the hill done and enjoy it because there’s no run-off here and there’s not a lot of grip and it’s raining a lot. It’s a precious car, so really the car first! Though that kink the walls are close so maximum respect. Just enjoy the weekend and the car goes to the next race in one piece. Just keep smiling.