Q&A: Ryan Lewis.
This year running in the British Formula Three Scholarship class with the T-Sport team, Ryan Lewis answers the questions.
Q:
Who has inspired you most in racing?
Ryan Lewis
I don't know really to tell you the truth, I'm not much of a motorsport anorak driver wise and I suppose most people say Senna and Schumacher and people like that and probably I would have to as well. I suppose anyone that's at the pinnacle of the sport you always look up to but I can't say there's anyone I've really looked up to and want to emulate.
This year running in the British Formula Three Scholarship class with the T-Sport team, Ryan Lewis answers the questions.
Q:
Who has inspired you most in racing?
Ryan Lewis
I don't know really to tell you the truth, I'm not much of a motorsport anorak driver wise and I suppose most people say Senna and Schumacher and people like that and probably I would have to as well. I suppose anyone that's at the pinnacle of the sport you always look up to but I can't say there's anyone I've really looked up to and want to emulate.
Q:
What have you got in your pocket?
RL:
Money, mobile phone and car keys
Q:
Do you have a hero?
RL:
Probably Schumacher but I really think Fernando Alonso has done very well, especially for his age and he's probably my current favourite F1 driver.
Q:
What's your long-term goal
RL:
To be as successful as possible at whatever I'm doing.
Q:
How much do you weigh?
RL:
65kg
Q:
And how tall are you?
RL:
5'6"
Q:
Who has had most influence over your career to date?
RL:
You mean apart from my Dad? I can't really think of any one person apart from him as he's been behind me from the start and has financed me up to now. Although I remember he wouldn't get me or my brother Ben a kart because he thought it was too dangerous!
Q:
What's your first memory of motor racing?
RL:
1993 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa with my brother Ben
Q:
What's been you most memorable moment in motor racing?
RL:
Probably my first win last year at Monza in FPA, with a close second being the win at Spa
Q:
What will you do when you stop racing?
RL:
I don't think I'm ever going to stop racing ever! Motorsport's what love I so I'd really want to stay involved in it somehow.
Q:
What's your biggest achievement outside Motorsport?
RL:
I suppose when I was 11 or 12 I was National Prep School High Gun at Clay Pigeon and that was the first national accolade that I won, which meant a lot.
Q:
Do you have any pets?
RL:
Yes I've got a cat called Charlie
Q:
And what about qualifications?
RL:
I've got 12 GCSE's and 4 A'Levels
Q:
What other previous jobs have you had?
RL:
I used to work on a landfill site picking up rubbish, which was the worst one. At the moment I'm working as an instructor at Palmersport but I did do six months working with my Dad.
Q:
Are there any tales to tell about unusual family history?
RL:
Oh yeah, you're going to love this one. My dad and my uncle once imported a skatebike into the UK which was kind of a cross between a BMX and a skateboard. It looked like a unicyle but the front of it had skateboard wheels on it and there was one shop in Peckham which sold them.
Q:
What's the family business?
RL:
BES Plc - Air conditioning, heating and ventilation, electrical and building services, too much to say here really, so check out www.bes-plc.co.uk
Q:
Any interesting facts about the family?
RL:
My brother Ben is a commercial pilot, not bad for 23 years old.
Q:
And what about sponsors
RL:
APC, BES, IT@ work, Esson Print
Favourites
Colour
Blue
Actor
Alan Rickman
Actress
Angelina Jolie
Song
Funeral for a friend
Film
21 Grams
Q:
What was the last film you watched and CD you bought?
RL:
The last film I watched was The Guru and CD, Funeral for a Friend
Q:
I understand you're looking to move house?
RL:
Yes, I'm looking at moving up to Northampton. When I'm not racing and testing or being with the team, I'll be working as much as possible as an instructor at PalmerSport in Bedford.
Q:
How do you unwind when you're not racing?
RL:
I like going to the gym to unwind but mainly going out with friends.
Q:
What's the most dangerous thing you've ever done, apart from racing of course?
RL:
Fly with my brother Ben!
Q:
How do you prepare yourself mentally for the start of a race?
RL:
I try not to get wound up to start with and usually spend 10 minutes stretching quietly
Q:
Describe your perfect night out?
RL:
An early evening drink in a beer garden or by the river in Cambridge then a trip into the west end of London.
Q:
So 'you're a celebrity, get me out of here', which three people would you want to be with you?
RL:
Aargh that's an easy one, Carmen Electra, Rhona Mitra and Shannon Elizabeth
Q:
How do you think you're friends and family would describe you, in one word?
RL:
Bi-polar
Crash.net will have exclusive content from Ryan during the year. Stay tuned to www.crash.net/f3.
You can also read more about Ryan at www.ryanlewis.com
