EXCLUSIVE: Interview with GP2 driver Alex Lynn

If you are a fan of GP2 or GP3 then you will be aware of Alex Lynn. The 21-year-old 2014 GP3 champion is currently racing in GP2 with DAMS team. He doubles his GP2 duties with those of his role as Williams F1 team’s development driver, and has driven the team’s F1 car in various tests. Just before the Monaco Grand Prix weekend, our GP2 writer Alena had the chance to put a few questions to him.

This is your rookie season in GP2, which you are joining as reigning champion of its sister series, the GP3. What were the biggest changes for you taking this step and what do you consider to be the most challenging thing about racing in the GP2 Series?

“GP2 is different to GP3 in many ways but the main thing is the car. The GP2 car is more powerful and really not too far off the Formula One car. This season has also seen the introduction of DRS to the GP2 Series, which is an additional thing to consider when racing. I’m also with a different team, DAMS, who have slightly different working methods as all race teams do, but I really like how the team operates, and being GP2 championship winners, they have had lots of success.”

After a rather disappointing first race weekend in Bahrain, in Barcelona you were able to score your first points in GP2 and topped this achievement with winning the Sprint Race a day later. In your opinion, what made the difference between the two weekends?

“Bahrain and Barcelona were very different races. It didn’t work out for me in Bahrain, and there were lots of factors that contributed to this. It started with contact into Turn 1, which meant I snapped the endplate off the front wing, and the upper plane of the front wing was covering the main flap, causing a massive loss of downforce causing lots of tyre problems. Things just went downhill from there, but I learnt a lot from the race and it was amazing to come back so strong in Barcelona.”

What upcoming race weekend do you look the most forward to and why?

“I’m really looking forward to Silverstone. There is nothing like racing in front of a home crowd and having that level of support. I would say Silverstone is my favourite circuit, I love the fast and flowing sequence of corners which really suits my style of driving.”

You are development driver for the F1 Team Williams Martini Racing and in Barcelona it took you to drive the Williams-Mercedes FW37 for the first time. How was the feeling driving a F1 car again after running with Lotus once in November 2014?

“It was absolutely incredible, I was on such a high after my GP2 win in Barcelona and it was great to carry on driving on the same track with the Williams team. I spent the initial part of the test watching from the garage and soaking up everything that was going on. I was able to observe how Felipe Massa conducted himself, he’s a great person to learn from. Then it was my turn to drive! The power is incredible and I did my first 200mph in the car during testing, and it’s scary to think that the car can go so much faster, there’s no sign that they’re ever going to stop accelerating. ”

What would you say were the most important experiences you gained with Williams until now?

“Williams is such a fantastic team to be with, it’s like being part of a family. I’ve completed a lot of simulator work with Williams, which has been so helpful in everything and now I’ve driven the F1 car. I feel like I’m constantly learning and Williams has given me so much already. I’m looking forward to continuing to work with them and learn even more.”

How are the dynamics in a F1 Team compared to a GP2 or GP3 team?

“To be honest, things are very similar, everyone works together as we are all looking to achieve one end goal - to win. However, there is so much more data in F1 than in the junior classes, and ahead of the test I’d already done more data than I could ever imagine in the Williams simulator. It just goes to show how technical F1 is, and the margins are so close between success and failure.”

Personally, what do you think about the use of the DRS system in GP2? Do you think it is an important aspect about preparing junior drivers for F1 or would you have preferred competing in the GP2 without DRS?

“The DRS certainly makes racing more exciting and I think it’s good that we are using it in GP2. My aim is to one day be F1 champion so anything I can do to learn more about F1 and improve my racing techniques is a good thing in my eyes.”

Over all, what are your personal goals for this season in GP2 as in your role as development driver?

“To be crowned GP2 champion. As a rookie this year, this sounds pretty ambitious, but I’m confident that with the support of the team and everyone around me, being crowned champion is a real possibility. Formula One is my ultimate goal, and one day I really do believe I can become world champion and being a development driver for Williams certainly means I’m on the right path.”

Thanks to Alex and his management for taking time to answer our questions.

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