Hello everyone, Scott Parkin here from FVTV, and welcome to the very first edition of ‘An Interview With:’. This will be a new feature appearing sporadically, every few months or so, where I have a short chat with various figures from the world of Formula Virtual. Today, we begin with a man who has overseen the most successful team in FV to date, whose team Franklin dominated the early years of our beloved sport, whose persona has – at times – infuriated, but at the same time has made him an almost irreplaceable figurehead in the FV community. He is, of course, Jamie Franklin. Scott Parkin: Hello Jamie, it’s so great to get this chance to talk to you. I’d like to first of all start by congratulating you on Enrique’s title success, could you describe the emotion for yourself, the team, and Enrique when the championship was decided in the way it was? Jamie Franklin: Thanks very much! We're obviously thrilled for Enrique to take the title at the finale, to be able to celebrate in front of his home crowd, but at the same time, such a disappointment to see him retire when he was driving so superbly, and losing out on that final, deserved win for us. SP: Certainly not the circumstances anyone would’ve liked. Now, I’d like to take you right back to the start; May 2013 I believe it was. Franklin joined the newly formed series, but your team already had experience prior to Formula Virtual. Could you explain where it all started originally, and the success you had prior to FV? JF: Yes, as I've mentioned before, there were a number of series I'd competed in before Formula Virtual was created. BATRacer, GPManagerPro and iGPManager being the most notable. The first two were series I'd competed in roughly about 12-15 years ago, with iGPManager being 8-10 years ago. The original guise for Franklin was actually Panther Racing, which evolved into Relentless Racing. I ran with that outfit for a number of years through into iGP, which after a couple of seasons, evolved into Franklin. I had a number of successes in the first two series I mentioned, but it was in iGP that I really honed my skills. The series was a lot more involved in terms of the running of the team, and I quickly understood how to win. I rose to the top of the 'Speed Series', which at the time was the home to the top managers. Alin Costrasuc was my main rival there, trading titles with me season for season, which incidentally is how I came to learn how Formula Virtual would work in terms of development. We also learned the importance of signing drivers who were complimentary to the car design, fantastic drivers who would have been a great addition to the Formula Virtual series - Jamie Davies, a multiple time world champion, Ryota Onishi, Itzel Santiago, Daniela Mendoza. Talents who were all integral to Franklin's success. Like I said, it was during our time there that we honed our craft, became the first team to win back to back titles in the top league, and eventually retired at the number 1 spot of iGPManager with the most titles, most wins etc. We'd proved everything we had needed to. I could probably have a whole separate interview about my time in iGP and everything that went on there! SP: Maybe that’s an idea for a future interview there, I’m sure there are so many wonderful stories from those years before FV. It’s so interesting to hear about these past series, something that I personally must confess to not knowing too much about, and how they really developed you and the team into the Franklin that entered Formula Virtual and - let’s be honest – dominated the series from 2013 to 2015, sweeping all six titles in that time period. Which is where we go to next; during those three seasons, did you and the team almost feel untouchable? Of course you had incredible challengers with the likes of Team 23 and Rossi, and Mathershaw were always there or there abouts, but did you think it would end? Season after season we became used to seeing Franklin repel any challenger to the throne, at what point did you think ‘Hang on, we might be in for a rocky ride next year’? JF: I think dominated is a strong word. People have become used to the bravado of Franklin, but we never had the advantage of Mathershaw or Downton in 2016 and 2017 respectively. So I don't think we were untouchable by any means, we were just more clever with the resources we had. But it was definitely late 2015, early 2016 that we realised it was going to be tough. The reliability problems we faced in 2015 sent us down the wrong path and upset our usual balance. Unlike iGP, FV doesn't allow you to account for reliability problems properly, so we threw more money at the car than we should have to secure that third title, and in hindsight, we obviously didn't need to. Had that not happened, the chances of competing for 2016 would have drastically improved, and thus that would have had a knock on effect for the years ahead, but we were incredibly unlucky and paid for it. Other teams rose to prominence and made the return to the top more difficult, but people forget that even with those torrid issues we had, we were always nipping at the heels of teams that hadn't had to deal with that. SP: That’s very true as, in 2016, despite dropping to fourth in the Constructors’ the team won three races in a row and took a further four podiums. Then, come 2017, it seemed that the second seat at Franklin became one of the biggest obstacles for you to rise to the very top again. Since Elroy left, Enrique has accounted for almost two thirds of Franklin’s points share. Do you believe this is a reflection of the teammates he’s had alongside him, or is it more a testament to his own talent and skill? JF: Realistically it's a little bit of both. On the one hand, you've got Enrique who is a phenomenal talent, always looking to prove himself, so no matter who you bring in, he's going to raise his game to a whole new level. But on the other hand, these guys clearly aren't up to the challenge of title fights if they're not able to go toe to toe with the best. In fact, we don't necessarily need anyone to beat him, just someone who can pick up the pieces, which no-one has been able to do, and that's cost us this year. I think it's a real shame that the Formula Virtual grid is so restricted. We're handcuffed to the existing 'talent' in the sport, or those who have come through the junior series, most of which are nowhere near good enough to be challenging for podiums, let alone championships. Whilst elsewhere, there are drivers like the aforementioned Jamie Davies. A two time world champion, multiple race winner for Franklin who isn't able to compete. Ryota Onishi, a Japanese talent that Honda has been pushing for for so long, a driver who was able to beat Jamie in his later years at such a young age, and finally Daniela Mendoza. She came into the team at just 18 years old and in her first qualifying session was only half a second off of Onishi despite being on hard tyres compared to his soft. She's younger than Ruiz and could have the talent to challenge him but we're restricted to a pool of drivers from series which I don't think have done that well in successfully producing drivers that are capable of becoming anything but also-rans. SP: It’s quite an interesting point, I’m sure that one will be discussed plenty by the Formula Virtual community. Just sticking with the Brazilian though, you and the team clearly have a special relationship with Enrique, and I get the feeling that there is a rather large amount of mutual respect from both parties for what the other has done for them. Do you hope to keep in close contact with him after you depart from the sport? JF: You're right, the relationship we've built over the course of the last seven years is special. I know Enrique trusts me, and I him, so we will definitely stay in contact after this season is over. Not just on a personal level, but a professional one as well. I'll be making sure he stays in the best shape for the rest of his career. SP: Of course! I’d like to touch on what lies ahead for you post-FV later on naturally, but whilst we’re talking about Enrique I’m intrigued; how do you foresee his move to Porsche Mathershaw panning out? JF: No doubt that 2020 will be the toughest year of Enrique's career going up against Adrien Simon. But people said that with Giodano, they said the same thing for Kinnumen too, and he's made them look like they don't even belong in the sport. I'm not downplaying Simon's achievements, but I know Enrique and I know how much he'll want to prove himself. We still occasionally joke about how he wanted the chance to beat Powers in 2013. SP: It’s almost like you mentioned before, he seems to have that ability to just continually up his game more and more each time he gets paired with a supposedly stronger teammate, which is quite incredible really. Would you be in agreement that it’s Enrique versus Powers at the moment for the absolute top spot? If they were both in the best car on the grid, who’d you be backing? JF: I think everyone would be in agreement with that. Maybe not Mathershaw come to think of it. But if you ask anyone, it'll come down to Ruiz Vs Powers. But I'd definitely be backing Enrique, purely for his loyalty. Nathaniel had the opportunity to stick with us for 2014, but he was more concerned with the money than having the best car. Which is fine, he can do what he wants, but personally I'd be looking to secure accolades rather than a bigger pay check. As for who would come out on top - I'd put my money on Enrique. Like I said, he has that ability to rise up in the face of adversity, something I don't think we've really seen from Nathaniel. SP: I’m sure it’s a debate that will rumble on until we ever see them square up against each other in the same team. Now, we must talk about the fact that Brazil was the last race for yourself and the team. Do you think this is it, forever? Or do you keep an open mind to a future return in the same way Westwood will be doing in 2020, and Lucas did this season? JF: No-one can ever say that this is it forever. Schumacher came back in 2010, Westwood are coming back this year, Lucas came back in 2019, like you said, I even made a return to iGP briefly last year, showing up half of the Formula Virtual field who decided to compete there with me. However, I have no plans to return in the future as it stands now. Personally, I feel I've got nothing left to achieve here, and I feel like there's much more I can achieve elsewhere. Not only that, but I feel the sport has become too restrictive, as I've already mentioned, there's not as much scope to do things differently, to be innovative. That might sound like a bit of a jab, or sour grapes, but it's the way I feel. There are many forms of Motorsport that I feel try so hard for everyone to be equal, to artificially create a sense of competition, that it restricts what people are able to truly achieve. Could you imagine an Olympic athlete being told how they can train because it's unfair on the other competitors? It's just ludicrous to me. SP: The points you bring up, did they contribute to Franklin leaving FV? What will you miss the most about being in FV? And what will you be glad to leave behind? JF: It's not the reason I'm leaving, perhaps they're contributing a little bit, but at the end of the day, it's more to do with challenging myself elsewhere. I suppose what I'll miss most is...the people with me in Franklin. The team I've built from the ground up, the likes of Enrique, the engineers, Felicia Quinn. There are so many I could name, all of who have been integral to our success. Sure, there are some in the paddock as well who we've grown close to too. But I'm not going to miss a fair few people who seek to diminish our achievements. Whether that be people involved in the sport, the fans, the press, whoever. Make no mistake, I know I'm not the most liked person, I've made my peace with that, I didn't come here to make friends, but I feel there's a level of disrespect because of that that has just become tiresome. I don't think anyone realises the amount of hard work that has gone into us becoming statistically the best team, but maybe when we're gone, we'll be more appreciated. SP: You mention the people who work at Franklin; of course, we now know where Enrique will be going but what of the others? What will become of the team? The base, employees, yourself? JF: Despite the reputation I've built up as someone who is somewhat cold, due to the way I dispose of drivers, one of my main priorities when deciding to exit the sport was the jobs of those working at Franklin. I'm sure there will be a few who may depart, whether that be to other teams, or other sports, though if they do decide to do that, I'd be making sure that they'd be going to places that would benefit from such talent, and not to some jobber outfits. But I know there will be many that stay, and as such will become part of a new consultancy and research firm. The sheer raw talent that we have under our roof is incredible and I'm more than happy to fund that, to keep these people where they want to be, in a slightly different manner. As for myself, I'll be taking a step back. Without the need to manage the team quite so stringently, with no time constraints, I'll be running my Personal Training business, focusing on helping the general public to realise a healthy lifestyle, and possibly helping in the performance of other sports people, such as Enrique. SP: That’s excellent to hear, it’s great that most of the team will remain together and of course I’m sure the whole paddock wishes you well with your career! Something you’ve mentioned yourself before is your role in the paddock, as the ‘heel’ of Formula Virtual, do you think you’ll leave a gaping void in your absence as you depart from the sport, and does FV – or any sport for that matter – need a figure like that? JF: Yes, I do think that I will leave a void. There are a few who may understand that type of role in anything that tells a story, whether it's fiction, sport, drama, you name it. But I don't think there's anyone here currently capable of donning that mask, which is a shame. Either because they don't have the balls to stand up and take what they want and say what they want, or they don't believe truly that they're entitled to greatness, or they just don't have what it takes to see it through. But, like I said, everything needs that role. Where would Batman be without the Joker? Would Senna Vs Prost have been nearly as interesting without that raw emotion? Inevitably someone will see one of those two as the villain. The point is that we don't need more people who are guided by their sponsors, or corporations. We need outspoken individuals who can make this sport more exciting, otherwise it will just become dreary. SP: It’ll certainly be interesting to see how the face of the sport is different without Franklin around in 2020 and beyond. I have one final question for you before we finish. As you’ve previously said you will remain a fan of Formula Virtual in the future; from that perspective what would you like to see change in FV over the next few years? Are there any rules you’d like to see relaxed or any new things introduced? JF: Yeah, I absolutely will. I think, for me, I've always wanted more scope for development. In the initial years, we had three areas to work out a balance for performance, then it changed to two, and apart from track layout, it doesn't make too much difference in terms of general performance, unlike what we had in the past, so that's what I'd like to see. I know there's different types of engines too, but again, I don't see a huge difference. By no means am I trying to act negatively towards the series, or Nic. But at the moment, I see it as a spending war, with some strategy for how you spend thrown in. Whereas before I feel having at least three, quite vastly different areas, made a bigger impact, so I'd love to see that back. I think that sorts the men from the boys in terms of intelligent design of the cars. I don't know if that's really what you meant by rules, but that's the only thing I can think of. SP: That’s exactly the sort of thing, yeah! Well, Jamie, thank you for taking the time out today for this interview and allowing me into the wonderful home of Franklin. Hopefully we’ll see you in Melbourne in April! Franklin had a clean sweep of Formula Virtual titles from 2013 to 2015, with Nathaniel Powers taking his first Drivers’ title in Formula Virtual’s inaugural season, followed by Enrique Ruiz in 2014, then Elroy Wagner in 2015. 2016 and 2018 were the teams’ ‘worst’ years; with fourth place finishes in the Constructors’ each time, either side of a third place in 2017. 2019 saw the team back to their brilliant best with Brazilian Ruiz taking his second title in a hotly contested championship against Downton. Three Constructors’ titles, four Drivers’, 35 wins, 90 podiums, 40 pole positions, 40 fastest laps, 2527 points. These incredible numbers are a true testament to the sheer machine that has been Franklin and, no matter what happens in the coming years or even decades of Formula Virtual, ensure that the team and Jamie Franklin will forever be in the history books as one of the all time greats of our sport. Nathaniel Powers - Malaysia 2013 - Franklin's first ever win in Formula Virtual. Enrique Ruiz - Portugal 2014 - Ruiz's first win. Enrique Ruiz - Mexico 2015 - Franklin's seventh consecutive win and the race that clinched their third consecutive, and final, Constructors' Championship. Enrique Ruiz - Mexico 2019 - Franklin's final win. Enrique Ruiz - Brazil 2019 - Franklin's final V-Prix, Ruiz later retired but was crowned 2019 Formula Virtual World Champion; his second title.
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