Welcome to another edition of 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 are joined by the most exciting young talent outside of Formula Virtual. With the 2018 FV3 title – as well as the rookie championships in both the 2017 VARS and 2019 VWRS series – already under his belt, he currently sits in second place in this year’s VWRS. He is Downton reserve driver Matteo Zetticci. Scott Parkin: Welcome Matteo. Tell us about yourself as a person, and how would you describe yourself as a driver? Matteo Zetticci: I am incredibly motivated and hungry. For success, not because I haven’t eaten! But I also like to think I’m quite humble and grounded. We were not a rich family and I got into motorsport quite late, but thanks to our parents dedicating everything to helping me and my sisters achieve our dreams, Fleur – my older sister – was able to help me with funding with money she got from show jumping. I owe an awful lot to her. From that first season she helped with, I got picked up by Downton and the rest is history. But I’ll never forget the support my family gave me, both financially and emotionally to help me get to where I am. In terms of temperament, I’m generally quite a calm person, which isn’t something you come to expect of either the Italians or the Dutch! As a driver, I think that shows. I’ve always been told I have an exceptionally smooth style, but don’t think I won’t go for a late daring move if I have to. SP: What do you most enjoy doing in your free time? MZ: I quite enjoy spending time with Lucy [his girlfriend], if you get what I mean… (laughs) Past that, I find baking and listening to music quite relaxing because I’ve grown up helping my parents in the shop – it always sort of, mentally takes me home, which is great when I’m missing them. I’m also a keen swimmer and have dabbled with horse riding thanks to Fleur, but I’m not very good, and now I’m racing properly I tend to avoid it for fear of getting injured. I also like helping Lucy with her studies for her motorsport engineering degree. I’m actually learning from it to and have been able to use some of it to adapt and improve my driving, and also help the team out in the garage from time to time on simple things. SP: What music do you listen to the most? MZ: I’m terribly mainstream when it comes to music. I’ll primarily listen to the kind of stuff you’d find in the UK charts – which obviously I’ve had a few years of listening to now! But generally, I listen to all sorts and if I like a song, I’ll listen to it. SP: What is your favourite food? MZ: Anything baked from the shop, I honestly couldn’t select just one thing that we do. Having said that though, mum also makes a proper brilliant pizza – naturally, topped with a variety of meats. Ooh, that’s a tough choice. You know what, I reckon I’ll have to go with the pizza – just because I definitely can’t make it like mum can, and I have it a lot less often than the bakery stuff. SP: Do you have any fears? MZ: Don’t laugh, but I don’t like open stairs. You know those ones with the gaps in between the stairs? Hate them. Spiders, snakes, whatever – throw it at me and it’s no issue, but stairs man, nope. Oh, and needles. But I don’t often have much opportunity to be scared about that, because as soon as I see it I usually just pass out. SP: What is your greatest achievement outside of motorsport? MZ: I’m really proud of the languages I can speak. I’m obviously fluent in both Italian and Dutch, can speak German, English and Spanish too, and have recently been learning Japanese. I always try and ensure I can at least say the bare minimum – the likes of hello, please and thank you – wherever I go, because I think it’s just polite to make an effort. SP: If you had not become a racing driver, what do you think you would have been? MZ: I’d almost certainly have been a baker. I wasn’t great at school, so would probably have to bypass anything too academic, but yeah, baking seems most likely. Circling back to languages though, being something like a translator would have been cool too, though I suppose in a way I sort of am! SP: Who is your idol outside of FV? MZ: Fleur. She was the one who showed me that with effort and dedication – and a bit of support too – you can achieve anything. As I said earlier, I owe an awful lot to her, both from teaching me that from a young age when I was witnessing her doing all she could to make it in the show jumping world, and for the financial support. She is also now my biggest fan, and it’s amazing to make her proud. SP: Who is your idol in the world of FV? MZ: This might sound corny or as if I’m toeing the party line – I think that’s the phrase? – but I’d have to say Klaas [van Snelheid]. He has really showed that a driver can go in at the top level and perform against these absolute titans of our sport – the likes of Nathaniel, Enrique and Adrien. To have gotten the chance to work with him the last few years has been fantastic. SP: Who are your closest friends in FV, drivers or anyone else? MZ: I haven’t really been too involved with many of the drivers yet, but obviously I get on with both Nathaniel [Powers] and Klaas. I’ve spent a bit of time with the other guys in the academy too; the likes of Spencer [James] and Sam [Hudson]. In terms of closest friends though, I’d probably have to say Dan [Zientek]. We karted together back in the day before being team mates last year, and had an absolute blast. He’s a legend of a guy and driver, so I’m proper stoked to hear he’s also got his shot in FV next season. Luca [Romero] is also a good friend and thanks to the Phoenix driver academy me and Dan have been spending time with Ott [Eskola] this year too, and he has an absolutely fantastic dry humour. It’s classic Estonian. SP: What do you enjoy most about being a driver in Formula Virtual? MZ: I’ll tell you next season when I’m actually a driver and not a reserve (laughs) In all seriousness, I’m not sure there’s one bit I’ve come across that I don’t enjoy. I mean, we get to go out there and drive the best cars in the world around some of the most amazing circuits – honestly, what could be better? SP: What has been your personal favourite race so far and why? MZ: In FV terms, probably Belgium 2018. It was a brilliant way to celebrate 100 V-Prix with the classic liveries and everything great about our sport demonstrated in one race. In terms of my own races, I think my very first one for Estrella in 2017 stands out. I rocked up in the States all alone at 15, but knew I had this one shot to really make it, to prove myself. Thankfully, Graham and Valentina [Miller – family friends Matteo stayed with] were super supportive and welcoming. Then I turned up in Brazil and Jules [Barclay] was the clear Championship favourite. I got my head down, and in the opening race I managed to go out, take pole, fastest lap and the win ahead of him. That was when it really dawned on me that I absolutely could do this, and Fleur’s support wasn’t going to be wasted. Bradley [Downton] first got in contact with me after that race too, and did it personally, which was a nice touch and kind of the icing on the cake. SP: Do you consider anyone as a rival? MZ: From that first year, Jules is probably the person I have been closest to. We were then close in VWRS in both 2019 and 2020 too, and somewhat annoyingly he has beaten me every time. I’m hoping now we’re both in FV, I can turn the tables. Obviously Dan too, he’s super quick and it’s been brilliant racing properly against him so far this year as we used to do. He was my first rival for sure. SP: Could you see yourself ever driving for another team? If yes, who could you see yourself driving for and why? MZ: Difficult to answer this one at the moment given nothing has been announced in terms who where I will be racing, so I’m just going to smile… SP: And finally, who would you like to nominate as the next person to do a ‘Let’s get to know…’? MZ: (grins) Has to be Dan. Can be like his exclusive first interview as a Formula Virtual driver! SP: That’s a good call! Thank you very much for your time today Matteo, good luck for the rest of your VWRS campaign and I look forward to seeing you much more in the future!
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