F1Weekly podcast # 553
High Hopes from the Highlands
Photo. www.formula1onlive.com
From Golspie to Grand Prix next season is the goal of Mister Lewis Williamson. The young Scottish talent is interviewed on a special edition of F1Weekly podcast # 553.
Williamson – from the land of Jim Clark and Jackie Stewart – has been on a fast track to success from his early days in karting. Blessed with immense natural talent and a good head on his shoulders, Williamson won numerous Scottish and British karting titles.
His first foray in single-seaters was equally impressive and successful, winning on debut from pole against a strong field of 24 Formula Jedi cars.
In the 2010 Formula Renault Championship Williamson scored five wins – highlight of which was winning both rounds on the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit – five poles and recorded four fastest laps. He was edged out only in the final race of the season for the championship.
The best was yet to come.
Williamson won the demanding and very prestigious 2010 McLaren BRDC Autosport Award, and with it a drive in his namesake’s 2008 British Grand Prix winning car.
Scotland The Brave & Very Quick
Just what the Doctor ordered
Then came the phone call, according to Williamson, “from a foreign number.” On the line laying out a prescription for success and support was Dr. Helmut Marko.
The Red Bull Young Driver Development Program has catapulted the likes of Sebastian Vettel and Jean-Eric Vergne into Formula 1. Their German wunderkind has already won two championships. “JEV” looks set to become the first French world champion after the “Professor.”
Williamson is well aware of the demands of Red Bull but is already delivering on the track for them. In the ultra-competitive GP3 Series last year he finished 8th with a win, a pole and three podium finishes.
Photo. GP3 Series Media
The glorious past and future of Scottish motor racing. Sir Stewart with Sir Speedy.
For the 2012 season, Williamson stays with Christian Horner-owned Arden team but moves up to the Formula Renault 3.5 Series. Both Daniel Ricciardo and Vergne came to Formula 1 from this championship on the wings of Red Bull.
Williamson’s winning ways will also land him at the top echelon of motor racing in the near future.
For more information on his career please visit www.lewiswilliamson.com
— Nasir Hameed
[audio:http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/mp3.f1weekly.com/podcasts/02-18-12f1weekly553.mp3]