Q & A with BAR's Gil de Ferran

By BAR Honda
April 13 2005

Lucky Strike BAR Honda's new Sporting Director Gil de Ferran took time out if his busy schedule to answer a few questions. Sit down and take some time as here's the very lengthy complete transcript...

Gil: Hello, everyone. This is Gil de Ferran. Like Nick said, you probably read the printed material. I will reflect very much that. This is an amazing opportunity for me to develop my life and my career. This type of role is definitely something that I had in mind and something I was trying to get into when I retired from driving. It's all coming at the right time.

Obviously, I'll be leaving my friends and colleagues in the United States, that I made over the last 10 years, with a high degree of sadness, but I won't lose touch completely with everyone. But I’m certainly looking forward to start everything on Monday. It's going to be a huge challenge for me. Onwards and upwards.

Gil de Ferran, you had a long-term relationship in the United States with Roger Penske. Did you maybe go to Roger to get some advice before making this decision?

Well, Roger has not only been my boss in the past, but a friend and also somebody I bounced ideas to and from. He remained so even after I stopped driving in the end of 2003. I spoke to him regularly. This is one thing that we did talk. He's encouraged me to get my teeth into things that are in my heart. That's certainly one of them.

Did you maybe want or seek a position with Penske Racing and maybe when that didn't come about you looked elsewhere?

No, I did not. You know, at Penske Racing, my role there as a driver lasted for four years. I had great relationship with them. I did not seek any other position with them. I guess in a way I had a unique view on how they operated. To me they were in very, very good shape.

I listened to you on the IRL broadcast last week. It kind of indicated a couple of times that maybe you missed the competitive atmosphere of the racetrack and the track side. Is that what led you to leave the booth and to definitely get back to racing more on a competitive basis?

Absolutely. I mean, certainly one of the things I've learned over this last year or so is that I am a racer at heart. I miss the competition side. When I stopped racing, I didn't want to leave the sport completely. Over the last year or so, my competitive juices kept flowing.

That didn't mean that I wanted to get back driving. So I think this role answers all my emotional and intellectual needs.

When this all came about, how much of this was wanting to be able to use your engineering background as well as wanting to get back into the competitive side?

Well, my interest in racing was very broad from the day I started. I mean, obviously I love driving, I love competing, but I also love the machines. Even when my interest in driving was waning during the last year and eventually led to my retirement from that side of the sport, my interest in everything else remained high.

I guess over the years I accumulated different experiences, both behind the wheel and in other parts of motorsports, you know, including the technical part. Hopefully, as time goes on, I'll be able to contribute more and more to the team.

But my main role is more sporting related or racing related and I suppose in a way less technical.

How difficult is it going to be making the jump from IndyCars to the Formula 1 cars?

Well, I'm sure there are many nuances about the Formula 1 race team that I don't know about. Therein lies some of the challenges that I speak of. But on the other hand, you know, I feel like I accumulated all the experience I can over the years. This type of role is definitely something I wanted to do. I feel ready for it. I mean, I guess time will tell how successful I will be.

The most important question, are you going to be leaving Fort Lauderdale?

Well, I guess I am. Taking this role entails moving to England. Obviously, I lived in the UK before, for seven years of my life. I'm looking forward to that in a way, but in a way I'll definitely miss my home here in the US.

Do you think the puzzle is complete now; the formula to win races and also compete for the World Championship is there?

Absolutely. Yeah, we'll continue to tweak. As I say, this is no-holds-barred. We will do what it takes to win. Gil is another critical part of the jigsaw puzzle.

Bobby Rahal came over before you. You must have looked at what happened to him in that he had a lot of success in America, as you have done. Does that worry you, what happened to him in Formula 1?

In a way it doesn't. You know, I’ve known Bobby for several years. I think there are different situations and different people. I mean, all I can tell you really is that, you know, the people that I have dealt with so far, which have been primarily or should I say mostly Nick, and I had conversations also with Geoff Willis, it's been - how can I say - a wonderful courting period. I feel very comfortable, you know. I clearly understand what I have to do.

It seems to me that the role that I am fulfilling is also different from the role that Bobby Rahal was trying to fulfill at Jaguar. I'm also comfortable with the fact that the jury is out. It is out for everyone. It's always been out. It's always going to be out. The only way to know that is to do your job well and hopefully deliver the right results.

Was Jackie Stewart involved in the centre of this? I noticed some mention of him. How much of a role did he play in the negotiating, courting, whatever you want to call it?

Well, in a way, like Roger Penske and other people that I know, Jackie has been somebody that I turn to whenever I have big decisions to make over, my God, since the early '90s really. The Stewart family really have been my friends since I drove for them back then.

Certainly I met Nick through Jackie back in the '90s, still when we're all doing different things. When this came about, I sought Jackie's advice.

Gil, what is going to be your first task?

My first task is going to be doing a lot of observing and listening. I think the worst thing I could do is disrupt a good thing in the short-term. Obviously, B.A.R Honda finished second in the championship last year with mostly the same people, and a very similar group to what you find there today.

I have to find my feet first. So in the short-term, my plan is to really observe, take a lot of new information in, and hopefully over time my contribution will increase. That's really my plan.

My immediate plan is to go to England on this Sunday and in the middle of the week be in Paul Ricard car test which will be my first test.

I would like to know whether Gil got to talk to Bobby Rahal. In case you didn't, what do you think of what happened to him during his Jaguar stint, and how could you avoid a similar outcome?

Well, I answered part of your question already, but not the whole of it.

I guess I did not talk to Bobby Rahal since all this came about. I will try to repeat my previous answer. It's basically, you know, this is a different role from what Bobby was playing at Jaguar. I mean, there are different people involved, different companies involved. In a way I'm a different person than Bobby. Certainly I understand this will be an enormous challenge for me.

However, you know, I'm ready for it. It's something I really want to do. I've gained a lot of experience from my racing life. Of course, the jury is still out, but it's out for everyone. I look forward to the challenge and I'm ready for it.

Gil, Formula 1 can be an extremely political environment. You're the Sporting Director. You were in the United States during the CART/IRL years. There's a threatened split in F1. Is it possible to turn your back on all the political environment and concentrate on just the sporting and competition?

Well, I hope so. I think I understand my role very clearly. I think in the end of the day, once the green flag flies, or shall I say the green light goes, that's all that matters.

I think that in the past I've done a good job in being able to focus on the job at hand and not really get too distracted about other things that are not essential to the results in competition. I hope I'll be able to do the same in my new role.

There was a time when F1 was no-holds-barred with the chequebook; whatever you could do to go faster and win you could do. This is a time when they're trying to cut back costs. Is that going to be disappointing or just maybe another challenge to try to win in a very different environment?

Well, I think the sport of racing, and Formula 1 also, has been evolving and been through many, many different phases over its history. My understanding is that my role is clear in my mind. You know, it's to try to win any competition or to succeed in any competition that we enter, find out what's the best way to gain an advantage and have an edge. Nothing changes. I did think that as a driver and I will try to continue to do that in my new role, whatever the competition is, whatever the rules are.

Gil, have you thought of any step-by-step plans that you want to get ready and get on with straightaway?

Well, in a way, like I said earlier, my initial task is really to land over there and get a lay of the land, listen and learn. Also it's going to be a very accelerated process. That's really my initial plan, to do that, and really not to disrupt the workings of what I believe is essentially a very good operation.

Do you know a lot about Jenson Button, him as a person and character? Have you yet to really delve into his personality?

I met Jenson in the past. Mostly socially. I liked him a lot. He seemed like a really nice guy. No airs and graces about him, just a guy that loves racing. Just a nice guy. My son liked him a lot, so that must be a good sign!

Are you looking forward to working closely with him? Obviously, Jenson is looking for his first win and the team's first win along with Takuma. Jenson specifically, are you looking forward to working with him?

Absolutely. I see Jenson as certainly one of the best drivers in the world today, I think somebody that has obviously not only the potential to win races but to win a World Championship. I think he's a great asset to B.A.R Honda. I'm very much looking forward to working with Jenson.

He's been very unlucky. What do you think he needs to do to become a winner?

Well, I don't think he needs to do much. I think his performance has been incredible. For you to win races, a lot of things have to come right all at the same time. I think it's a job for the whole team, including him, to try to make that happen.

Will you sit down and have a chat with him about his driving, during races, situations that might crop up?

Well, my first job is I guess to get to know him better. That's primarily why I'm going to Paul Ricard, immediately to get to know the team better, to get to know him better. I intend to spend a lot of time with not only Jenson but Takuma and all the test drivers, to get to know them better.

I don't think you can be effective if you don't understand deeply the people you're working with.

So you'll be picking up the tab from the meal then?

I'll be doing whatever I need to do to get to know him better.

Gil, you had Formula 1 ambitions many years ago. They were frustrated. Is this replacement therapy or unfinished business?

Well, I don't think so (laughter). You know, I had a lot of fulfilment in my driving career, especially in my last stint with Team Penske where I was able to win many races and championships, and especially the Indy 500. I finished my career in the end of '03 very satisfied, happy with what had happened, not really bitter about anything. I was just happy the way my life had developed up until that point.

As far as Formula 1 goes, I have always had a fascination with Formula 1, ever since I watched Emerson Fittipaldi battling Jackie Stewart in the early '70s as a kid. I grew up watching Formula 1. I always loved Formula 1. When I went to Europe, I wanted to be a Formula 1 driver. My road took me a different way, but just as fulfilling.

I think my doing what I'm doing really has not much to do with any sort of unfinished business that I had in the past. For me it's a new avenue and it's a great opportunity for me to grow really.

Gil, what does this move mean in terms of your family? I'm sure Angela is happy to go back to her homeland.

Well, I think in a way she's happy to go back to her homeland, and very sad in another way because we've grown very, very attached to our lifestyle, to where we live, and to the friends we have over here. My children have been going to school their whole lives in the US, they made many friends here, I made many friends here. Let's be honest, it's a pretty nice place to live here in South Florida. Obviously there are some feelings about going back to her home country, but also some sadness about what we're leaving behind.

In terms of leaning on the support of people that are used to Formula 1, have you talked at all to Cristiano, any of the other guys that you know personally that have raced over there?

I have not spoken to Cristiano. I have spoken to other people that I've known in Europe for many years. It's been fantastic, very supportive, with very intelligent advice in many cases.

Big challenge for you. What are your feelings inside? Is this like starting the Indy 500? Is there any way you can equate what this big leap for you is like in your stomach right now?

You hit the nail on the head. It's certainly an enormous thing in my life and my career. I felt every emotion you can feel over the last few weeks. I'm hugely excited. I think, of course, I'm hoping this will be the beginning of my next career.

Long Beach is this weekend. The Indy 500 is on the horizon. Will there be any time you miss anything about American racing, especially open-wheel, or will you be too immersed in this new part of your career?

I think it's yes to both. Obviously, the Indy 500 and open-wheel racing in America has been a part of my staple diet over the last 10 years. You can't cut something off and not have any withdrawal symptoms. For sure that will happen at some point in time. I have no doubt.

On the other hand, I'm sure I'll be busier than I can possibly imagine at this very moment. When you find yourself in that situation, you don't have a lot of time to reflect on different things. I guess the answer is yes to both.

There's always Monaco to replace all of that.

Absolutely.

Gil, Niki Lauda tested a Formula 1 car on his own a couple years ago. Are there any plans you're going to be in the car, too?

No plans for me to drive the car, or any car for that matter. I mean, since I retired from racing in the end of 2003, I've been fortunate enough to have had several approaches to drive all sorts of different cars. I've resisted them, in a way somewhat easily. When I decided to stop driving, I was very sure about that. I had no desire to get back in the racing car since then. This job, I think it will be so overwhelming that I'm sure not to have them in the future either.

Isn't there a little sort of curiosity to get a taste of what it's like to drive a modern day Formula 1 car?

I can tell you that as unbelievable as it might seem, I'll tell you no. I've watched Formula 1 races since I stopped driving. I was at the US Grand Prix last year and at the British Grand Prix last year. I watched it with interest, but I had no desire to drive. Of course, my shape is nowhere near as good as it was when I was driving! I don't even think I could do very well!

Gil, how difficult are you expecting the world of Formula 1 to be from what you experienced? This is going to be a completely different world?

I'm sure it will be very challenging in many ways. I'm sure there are a lot of difficulties that I can't even foresee at this very moment. At the end of the day, a lot of characteristics and ingredients in racing are common worldwide. I think what I have learned over the years puts me in a good position to assume this role.

Like I stated earlier, I feel ready for it. It feels like it's a natural progression for me to assume such a position, however difficult it may be.

Let's go win something!

Thank you very much, everyone.