New faces
Faces Going Places
By Nasir Hameed
Frijns Means Business: Flying Dutchman Robin Frijns lands Rookie of the Year title in the 2009 Formula BMW Europe Championship with Josef Kaufmann Racing of Germany.
The 18-year old started out in karting and won the 2006 French Junior Karting Championship. The following year he scored an impressive third place finish in the prestigious and ultra-competitive South Garda Winter Cup in KF2 division.
In 2008, Frijns finished second in the French and third in the European Karting Championship.
When the decision was made to step into single seaters and compete in the 2009 Formula BMW Europe Championship, Frijns found the house of Kaufmann as his team.
Josef Kaufmann Racing is one of the top and most successful teams in the series. The team previously guided Nico Hulkenberg to championship success in his rookie year and last year Mexican sensation Esteban Gutierrez won the championship with seven victories.
Lars Kaufmann, the energetic team leader and son of Josef, was quick to spot Robin Frijns talents and before the season started declared, “This Robin will fly”.
F1 Weekly is pleased to present our conversation with this rising racing talent from the Netherlands.
Q: You are Rookie Champion in 2009 Formula BMW Europe, did this exceed your expectations before the season began?
In fact, they did. I really hoped to be fighting for the Rookie Championship but dominating it, I really did not expect.
Q: What was your best moment of the year?
I had a lot of good moments, but the biggest was of course my race win in Silverstone but also my pole position in my home race in Zandvoort, and also the 2nd race in Spa coming back from P18 in the race to P5.
Q: And the worst moment of the year?
Second race in Silverstone, started P6 and finishing on a disappointing P10.
Q: Who were some of the best drivers in the series in your opinion?
Felipe Nasr was for sure one of the better, but also Christensen was really good.
Q: Apart from lack of experience, how do you compare yourself to these drivers?
I am in the same speed as where they are, but they were generally better in qualifying because of the experience they have with new tyres.
Photo: Josef Kaufmann Racing
Q: You raced with Josef Kaufmann Racing, how important was the team in improving and motivating you as the season progressed?
They were a great support during the whole season. They improved me as a racing driver a lot. I was really happy that I got the chance of driving with them.
Q: Your favorite track?
Spa-Francorchamps.
Q: Who is guiding your career?
For the moment it is just my family and me who are making the decisions.
Q: Do you follow American racing series like Indy Cars and Nascar?
Sometimes I watch an Indy car race, Nascar not so much.
Q: What is more important to you as winning, Monaco GP, Indy 500 or Le Mans 24 Hours?
Monaco GP in F1 and when I am older for sure the Le Mans 24 hours.
Q: What is your racing agenda for 2010?
We are still deciding and discussing on that, but probably it will be another year of Formula BMW.
Q: What would you like fans of Robin Frijns to know about you as a person? Your taste in music, food and how you spend your spare time?
I like as music, trance, dance kind of style, pasta fromaggio as food and spare time hanging out with my friends and playing some race games on my XBOX.
For more information please visit his website : www.robinfrijns.com