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 youngest driver on the grid who is currently in his second season in Formula Virtual. He had a fruitful junior career supported heavily by DS Automobiles, which ultimately proved to be his path into FV; albeit with DS Automobiles Team Phoenix - instead of Mathershaw. He is, of course, Thierry Xylander! Welcome Thierry, let’s get started. Tell us about yourself as a person, and how would you describe yourself as a driver? TX: To describe myself as a person I’d say I’m quite quiet, a thinker. I don’t enjoy being the centre of attention, I just like to quietly go about my business and plan everything. As a driver, well it’s more of the same really; I meticulously plan everything from my diet plan to how I’m going to better myself race by race. Of course, in racing, you simply cannot plan for every single scenario but I like to think that I cover as many as possible, so that when a certain situation arises, I’m well prepared for it. What do you most enjoy doing in your free time? TX: I’m always reading books, I’m a real bookworm! I play video games sometimes, I love puzzles like Sudoku, and I play mental chess. To be honest, I spend most of my time re-watching races and analysing everything, as well as studying technical information from the team. I do always attend the team ‘bonding’ sessions but I don’t drink so I just stick to water, orange juice, or preferably milk if it’s available. What music do you listen to the most? TX: My music taste is strange, I suppose, it very much depends on the mood I’m in at that particular time. So, most of the time I find myself listening to classical music but, maybe one day out of five, I find I’m in the mood for some heavy rock. It’s almost a release of any ill feelings I may have, just for an hour or so! What is your favourite food? TX: I have a very strict diet to make sure I am in the best shape possible, although this was so much easier in the DS Mathershaw days because they have dietitians and all sorts of food science people, here at Phoenix we have Aaron making food and everything else but he only seems to make burgers that taste of oil… sorry Aaron! So I usually bring my own pasta salads and things, but I think for the favourite part of my diet I must say my morning porridge is so tasty! Do you have any fears? TX: I do have some phobias, yes. Spiders, heights, small spaces, crowded places, wasps… anything that flies actually, and flying – I wouldn’t say it’s a phobia but I hate being on a plane, or in any situation where I’m not in control of my fate! SP: What is your greatest achievement outside of motorsport? TX: Oh no, I’m not very good with this sort of question! I won a PlayStation competition once before and am currently unbeaten in the Phoenix Scrabble league which is easy for me I have to say, there is not much competition I’m not sure James [Thompson] or Dom [Hanson] can even spell their own names! Other than these small things, I am quite proud of the achievement that I am fluent in five languages which is not that easy! SP: If you had not become a racing driver, what do you think you would have been? TX: Well I very much love numbers and data so maybe a statistician but then also I love the technical side of FV with the designs and technology involved with making a car. Hmm I will say I would have liked to have been a Formula Virtual car designer. Who is your idol outside of FV? TX: That’s a good question! I don’t really have so many idols outside of racing but I think, for a famous person, maybe I’ll say Audrey Hepburn because of the work she did with charity but of course there are also many other people who have done this. Really, my idol growing up was always my grandfather. He was a clockmaker - who was born and lived in France – and didn’t really make very much money in doing the job he did but he was the best around there and had a local reputation as the best in the area, which I think is something we can all strive for. As I say he did not have very much money but every bit that he could afford to spend on family he did. I love and miss him as he was the relative I was always closest with in my entire family. Who is your idol in the world of FV? TX: I have a few individuals that I look up to and respect greatly in Formula Virtual. A driver who I would say fits the description; Adrien Simon is up there for me. Then, of course, you have Arthur Lapierre and Robert Mathershaw. As part of the DS Automobiles Young Driver Academy, I spent a lot of time under Arthur’s guidance and learnt so much from him about mentality and also the PR side of Formula Virtual, whilst Adrien fed all of the young DS drivers as much of his knowledge as possible from his extensive career in Virtual Motorsport – still to this day I know that he’s always available if I need help with something. Finally, Robert, to put it simply; I admire his technical knowledge. The technical side of FV is something that is a real interest of mine, and Robert and his team are meticulous in their work which is something I can relate to. That is just one of the many reasons why they are the most successful team in history. Who are your closest friends in FV, drivers or anyone else? TX: Well, as I just mentioned, Adrien Simon is a good friend, but I don’t get to spend much time with him away from the track. During my time in the junior series, I was good friends with Rodolfo de la Fuente and Blaise Duval, who I still enjoy spending time with now when we get chance. I get along with Sergio [Alvarez] and James [Thompson] very well, but we don’t have much in common away from Formula Virtual. Allar Kangur is someone I very much like the company of. What do you enjoy most about being a driver in Formula Virtual? TX: Something I was immensely proud of in my debut season was finishing every race; which had never been done before by a rookie and only two drivers ever I think. This is something that I really enjoy in any level of Virtual Motorsport; being methodical and maybe outwitting opponents by playing the long game sometimes to get the advantage if they have not thought things through. Of course, this season so far has been some of the worst luck of my career but it has not changed my style, I am rarely erratic. What has been your personal favourite race so far and why? TX: For my most entertaining I think Italy 2019 was the best on the extra soft tyres I kept fighting through the field along with Carson [Davenport] in the Lucas and finished eighth to equal my career best. However, for my best performance it was the other eighth place in USA when I was always ahead of Sergio on the same tyres and we both finished in eighth and ninth. We were the fifth best team on merit which was a very nice feeling, I will say that is my favourite so far. Do you consider anyone as a rival? TX: Of course I think every driver looks first at their teammate as the first person to beat so it’s natural that I compare myself to Sergio and always am happy to beat him, although the team do not take this approach. I sometimes look at how Hunter [Ryan], Dominykas [Zvironas] and the likes of Gabriele [Garcia] are doing as fellow young drivers who I spent time racing in the junior series, but I do not consider them rivals really. If you had to drive for a different team, who could you see yourself driving for and why? TX: Coca-Cola Porsche Team Mathershaw, no question. They were the team that led me through the junior series and eventually – with the DS/Phoenix partnership – gave me my chance in Formula Virtual. I think, for any driver, to drive a race or even a season or more for that team would be an honour and a privilege. So, for me I would have to say they would be a team where I could definitely see myself racing and it is my goal to one day return to them. SP: And finally, who would you like to nominate as the next person to do a ‘Let’s get to know…’? TX: Oh okay of course, could I see the list please? Thanks. Oh I see Danilo is on here? I know him quite well and of course he will be in FV next season so go with him for the next one. SP: Fantastic, thank you for your time Thierry.
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