Welcome to the first in the ‘Let’s get to know…’ series, hosted by me Scott Parkin of FVTV. This series aims to, whilst keeping it short and sweet, provide an insight into various people from inside the Formula Virtual paddock ranging from the famous drivers to the behind-the-scenes staff at some of the teams. Today, we begin the series with a Dutchman who is the most successful non-Championship winning driver in Formula Virtual history; notching up fourteen wins and 33 podiums in just 60 V-Prix entries – a truly formidable record. He is, of course, Downton’s Klaas van Snelheid. Okay Klaas, it’s been explained to you already how this is going to work so let’s get cracking shall we? Klaas van Snelheid: I’m ready! SP: Tell us about yourself as a person, and how would you describe yourself as a driver? KvS: I am probably a rather more private person than some others. For example, my life does not go all over the social medias. I also am admitting to my heart being on my sleeve. While in the car, no – I am focused 100%, but afterwards if I know I have made errors, or something has gone wrong and cost me, I usually show it. As a driver, I am determined and driven – as in life. You have to be to reach here. I also think I am very fast. SP: What do you most enjoy doing in your free time? KvS: In my free time I enjoy hanging out with my friends, and spending family time together. As FV drivers we do not get much time so you say to ourselves, so it is difficult. But away from the track and the factory, we just spend time together having fun, playing games like Call of Duty or FIFA, and with my family just relaxing and being together. SP: What music do you listen to the most? KvS: I am not myself so big on music, I do not listen much. When I do though, I like our national Nederhop music, and was also a big fan of music Avicii did. SP: What is your favourite food? KvS: Oh, that is easy – Stroopwafels. My mum makes them absolutely the best. Obviously, I am not able to have so many as I have previously, but they always are my go-to treat. SP: Do you have any fears? KvS: In FV? No. Outside, I’m not much a fan of heights. Thankfully, the car usually remains firmly on the ground. Strangely though, airplanes do not concern me. It is only when I am being high up with no support. SP: What is your greatest achievement outside of motorsport? KvS: When I was in the school, I was captain of our school football team, and we won the school league. It was the first time our school had ever won it, and I also was voted player of the season. It was a good moment. I like to think I played well at football, but I drive cars better. SP: If you had not become a racing driver, what do you think you would have been? KvS: As before, maybe I could perhaps have gone into football? But aside from that – I don’t know. I have always had this motorsport passion, so would be here somewhere along the line. If not as a driver, most definitely on the technical side. I always try and help the mechanics out where I can with the car. I like getting my hands dirty, stuck in and helping out. Though I reckon they sometimes think I am more being in the way than useful! SP: Who is your idol outside of FV? KvS: Easy, mum. Our dad left when I was little and mum raised me, Jochem and our sister Stefanie on her own. She did fantastic to support us all in what we wanted to do – Stef is a keen guitarist with her own band now, so I should probably have said earlier I like her music too! Oops, she’ll kill me for that! But mum did a great job. She had a lot of help from our Oma and Opa too. They were so supportive; both by being there and financially, especially for me and Jochem. SP: Who is your idol in the world of FV? KvS: In FV, it has to be Declan (Johnson), our technical director. As I say I am very keen on the technical aspect of the series, and some of the things he does are just blowing my mind. He is very talented. SP: Who are your closest friends in FV, drivers or anyone else? KvS: My closest friends? In terms of drivers probably Viktor (Ostberg) and Finn (Schnyder). I spent lots of time with them racing before FV, and we kind of came up together. And since 2017, I have got to know Allar (Kangur) more too, both on and off track. I am also close to my trainer, Richie. We have been together since 2016 before I started racing in FV, but he has become like another brother. I’ve always had a good working relationship with Nathaniel too, and spending more time with Matteo this year is good. The kid seems like a very fun laugh. We have fun playing jokes on Nathaniel. SP: What do you enjoy most about being a driver in Formula Virtual? KvS: Driving the car for sure. It is brilliant. Being able to do what I love for a living is just, it doesn’t make sense that I am paid to do my hobby, my passion, you know? The least thing is media – no offence. I just don’t like talking too much. SP: What has been your personal favourite race so far and why? KvS: My personal favourite? Tricky. My first win in Japan was good, but I think probably Belgium in 2018. Being the 100th FV race it was such a huge event, and it felt special. And to win it too after my longest win-less and podium-less streak in FV was the cakes icing. SP: Do you consider anyone as a rival? KvS: Your first rival is always your team mate, so definitely Nathaniel. But we have a healthy rivalry. Bradley tells me it works well because it drives the team on, but is always warning us not to go too far. Ruiz is fast too, but I do not agree often with how he conducts himself on track. SP: Could you see yourself ever driving for another team? If yes, who could you see yourself driving for and why? KvS: Right now, no. If Team 23 returned then maybe. They first spotted me and gave me my first taste of FV, and to race for a Dutch team would be a true honour. But Downton have put so much into me, and my career and getting me to here, it feels right. But never say never. No-one knows what is held in the future. SP: And finally, who would you like to nominate as the next person to do a ‘Let’s get to know…’? KvS: Firstly, thank you. This probably has been one of my most fun and different interviews. I nominate Allar Kangur. He has great stories to tell from his past and has a great how do you say – serious sense of humour? SP: Deadpan? KvS: Ah yes, that phrase is ringing bells; deadpan sense of humour. SP: Fantastic, thank you for the time Klaas! We’ll sweeten the deal next time and bring Stroopwafels. KvS: Brilliant. Will be interview I look forward to most.
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