Max Chilton interview: Manoeuvring up F1’s steep learning curve

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  • In life, a year may not always seem like a particularly long time, but in sport what a difference 12 months can really make.

    This time last year, British driver Max Chilton was in Abu Dhabi as a reserve driver for Marussia and was about to have his first-ever free practice round in a Formula One car.

    This time around, he’s two races away from wrapping up his rookie season with the Anglo-Russian team and is the only driver to have successfully completed every race of the 2013 F1 calendar so far.

    His highest finish was a 14th place in Monaco earlier this season and just like his team, Chilton is hoping his consistency can earn him a seat at Marussia in 2014.

    “It’s been fantastic,” the 22-year-old Brit told Sport360° of his first year as an F1 driver. “This time last year I hadn’t even done a free practice and I didn’t know I was going to be a race driver.

    “I’ve learnt a hell of a lot, I’ve had a pretty good year. I started off – I wasn’t struggling but there’s a lot to learn, and then since the August break I’ve been really happy with my pace.

    “It’s just getting better and better with each race which is what people want to see. So I think I’ve proven that I deserve another chance in it. And I’m starting to show what I can do and show my true potential.”

    Chilton began his racing career in 2005 competing in T-Cars and gradually moved up the ranks from British Formula 3, to the GP2 Series, where he was fourth in the standings before he was nabbed from the Marussia-backed Carlin GP2 Series team.

    The 22-year-old says adapting to the big leagues has had its challenges but he believes he’s a fast learner and is getting the hang of things.

    “It’s a big jump into Formula One but it’s not huge,” he says. “And it’s not like it’s one certain area, it’s about bringing it all together. Since halfway through I’ve managed to do that, especially a couple of weeks ago in India, my qualifyings have been getting better and better but then I had a really poor qualifying.

    “I’ve learnt that you can really turn it around in the race. And I had the best race of the year (in India), I had the best start, really good pace throughout the race, me and Jules (Bianchi my team-mate) just kept going quicker and quicker fighting against each other.

    “Good pit stops, good strategy and it meant I came out on top. The Caterhams didn’t finish but I beat Jules, which is really good from starting behind.”

    Staying ahead of Caterham

    For a team like Marussia, right now is all about securing 10th place in the constructors’ championship, which translates into a significant amount of money.

    While details on how much they get are not disclosed, it’s believed that if they finish outside the top 10, they may not receive any prize money.

    So, for Chilton it’s all about beating Marussia’s perennial rivals, Caterham, currently 11th, and outpacing team-mate Bianchi. And he believes his consistency is key to their battle.

    “If we haven’t got any cars on the track, we’ve got no one to defend the Caterhams from getting that 10th, and that has always been something that I’m quite good at,” he added.

    Chilton is paying little attention to Sebastian Vettel’s since his team is so far down the food chain, adding: “There’s no chance we’re going to compete against Red Bull and everyone knows that. So we go out and we have our own targets.

    “You have to change your goals, a lot of us rookies come from junior categories where we were used to winning and getting pole positions, if you come into this, into a car which can’t do that, you’re going to have some problems.

    “And if Vettel laps us at four seconds a lap then that’s the way it is. But he’s done an amazing job.”

    Chilton is yet to be confirmed for 2014 but he says he’s “90 per cent sure” he’ll have a drive with Marussia again next season. Bianchi has already got the nod and the last two races could be quite stressful for Chilton in trying to prove to his employers he’s worth retaining.

    “I tend to not feel pressure. If you feel pressure I think it makes people do things they regret, or silly errors. If you ask me this question in Brazil and nothing is signed then I might be a little more stressed. I always think it’s never done until you’re being asked what shirt size you are,” he adds.

    The vigorous rivalry between drivers makes for some tense surroundings and it’s quite rare to see friendships develop around the pit lanes. But Chilton says his first year hasn’t been too solemn.

    He says: “You’re going to be friends with people, because there’s people like Jules I’ve raced against all my life since karting and we’ve come through the ranks together.

    “Dan Ricciardo (of Toro Rosso), I was team-mates with him, we get on really well and we’re good mates. Obviously when it’s your teammate, you’ve got to try and beat them at the end of the day, but me and Jules get on fine.”

    He’s also been enjoying some of the perks of being an F1 driver but says he’s not really in it for the show: “I’m quite social with my friends but I’m not one for clubbing and putting out that ‘oh look I’m a F1 driver’, I can’t stand that.

    “If someone recognises me, they recognise me and I say ‘hi’ to them. I kind of keep myself to myself, train, play golf and fly around the world racing.”

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