Stuttgart, Germany | 30/08/2021
In a rare interview with external media, the head of Porsche's Virtual motorsport commitments, Dr Heinrich Wallinger, has spoken with VirtualSports about the German brand's involvement in the Formula Virtual World Championship, as well as the prospects for the future. Patrick Sabatier, VirtualSports: Dr Wallinger, firstly, thank you for the opportunity to speak with you - how are you doing today? Dr Heinrich Wallinger, Porsche: Good afternoon Patrick, I'm great thank you, and you? PS: I'm pleased to be talking with you! I think a good place to start is with the obvious, your involvement in Formula Virtual. How are you enjoying your time in the sport, and what are your thoughts as the man ultimately responsible for the success or failure of the project? HW: Formula Virtual is the undisputed pinnacle of virtual motorsport, and for us to be involved is essential. The marketing opportunities afforded to us as a result of being part of it are invaluable, but for us the direct result of involvement is the engagement of the fans and competition. The FVA and in particular series CEO Nic Morley do an utterly incredible job, and without his efforts, nobody would be getting very far in the sport. As for our results, we're halfway through 2021, which means we're 18 months of competition into our three year contract with Mathershaw Technology, hence our conversation now. Am I pleased? Absolutely - we've achieved five wins since joining, as well as winning in our first ever race in FV as an engine supplier. That is testament to the rule set that Nic and the FVA have come up with, and for us to be so competitive immediately is incredible. We felt we had a good chance of the championship this time last year, and the manner in which we lost it was certainly disappointing. A winter of introspection and a rebuilding year for 2021 means 2022 is certainly the most important season of our first foray into Formula Virtual. PS: So you'd say 2022 is make or break for Porsche in FV? HW: Not at all - it's by far the season with the highest expectations, but we have to be pragmatic and look at this from a business point of view - we are doing very well, and I think we're one of the best exposed teams in the sport. We've already said we'll continue in FV for a long time to come, and beyond 2022 it's simply a case of how the boardroom at Porsche want that to look. PS: Is that likely to change much? You came in with Mathershaw Technology for an initial three year spell, which you've said you will likely extend, but are you happy with them as a technical partner? HW: This partnership is one that works for everyone involved. We have the same ethos, and the same company spirit. There is a large amount of crossover between Porsche and Mathershaw, with employees of both embedded and on secondment across the partnership in FV and beyond. Rob leads the technical side well, and Arthur [Lapierre, team principal] is an incredible figurehead and personality to represent us. The sponsorship arrangements are currently better than anyone in Formula Virtual has seen before, and Coca-Cola are committed partners as well, with worldwide activation of the sponsorship including plans for a special campaign in North America this year. Overall, I'm very pleased, and to be honest the only way the Porsche-Mathershaw Technology partnership will change is further integration between Le Mans and Weissach. PS: It hasn't all been plain sailing though - we've seen the team capitulate on occasions, including Silverstone last year, and there have been errors from the team that have proven costly - just last week in Turkey, an administrative error meant the team were excluded from qualifying, costing a potential chance at victory. What are your thoughts on this? HW: I think it's indicative of a team pushing the boundaries and trying their hardest to succeed on all fronts. The driver pairing of Enrique Ruiz and Adrien Simon is one we've never seen the likes of in FV, and is simply a joy to watch - there is no driver in the world with the raw pace and talent of Ruiz, while nobody can develop a car and lead the organisation from behind the wheel like Adrien. Nothing is more satisfying than having that kind of talent at our disposal. Of course, sometimes it bubbles over to something more disappointing, but that's motorsport - the hard days simply make those victories taste even sweeter. As for last week - with the team competing on multiple fronts, some of the senior management have been stretched further than ever. However, safeguards have already been put in place to minimise any issues in the future, and it's a learning experience for everyone in the team. PS: What else does Porsche Motorsport have in the pipeline for the future? HW: Alongside Formula Virtual, I think our primary focus is the Virtual 24 Hour - partnering with Mathershaw Technology on multiple projects only sharpens our relationship, and we're looking strong with multiple entries capable of winning their classes and overall, as well as some exciting customer teams running with Porsche Customer Racing. PS: Is there any chance those projects could interfere with the FV operation? HW: Not at all. The Virtual 24 Hour is a one off event, and in the off-season for FV, meaning it's a chance for the race team to keep their eye in and compete, while for all the drivers involved it's just another day in the office. Formula Virtual is and always will be the primary objective, but there's no reason whatsoever we can't be successful in everything we compete in. PS: You're a big personality in the paddocks around the world, albeit one that isn't always particularly vocal. If you had a say in the running of the FVA, FV or any of the other championships you're involved with, what would you change? HW: To be honest, very little all round. Formula Virtual has been around for a long time now, and having come into it, we can all see why. The racing is close, fair and exciting, while rewarding those who can maximise their performance and execute their strategy the best, and off track the atmosphere of the paddock is among the best around. If it stays as it is, we'll be around for a long time to come. PS: Thank you very much Dr Wallinger, I hope to see you somewhere in a Formula Virtual paddock soon! HW: I'm sure you will!
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