As the 2017 GP3 season prepares to start the second leg of what has been an incredible season so far, Sport Grill has spoken to one of this season’s title contenders – Anthoine Hubert to discuss his career so far and look ahead to how he can take the title come Abu Dhabi in November.
- Who or what inspired you to become a racing driver?
Hubert: My father. He is a motorsport fan and was driving in Rally at a national level. When I was 3, he as Santa Claus bought me a “baby kart” for Christmas and that’s when it all started. For a few years we were just going on supermarkets’ parking on Sundays to drive and then, at the age of 7, I started racing!
- Your karting career was quite successful so what was the biggest thing from that period, that has benefitted you to this day?
Hubert: All the experience accumulated through these years is helping me nowadays. How to manage a race weekend, how to deal with stress.. but the main thing I’ve learned is how much you need to work to reach your targets.
- In 2013, you ran away with the French F4 Championship, gaining 13 podiums en route to the title. How surprised were you at what you achieved that season because that is quite exceptional for a young driver?
Hubert: I wasn’t really surprised because this was my goal at the start of the 2013 season. I needed to win this championship if I didn’t want to stop my career at this point so I was happy to be F4 champion and to be able to move up to Formula Renault 2.0.
- Since graduating from F4, you competed against Jack Aitken in the 2014 & 15 Formula Renault Super Cup as well as George Russell in last season’s European F3 championship. Given that you three are now not just ART teammates in your debut GP3 season but title contenders, just how much of those past experiences are you expecting to play a role in whether you finally outclass them and win the title?
Hubert: Obviously we start to know each other quite well, like many other drivers in the paddock! In my opinion the good thing about this is that I know about their strengths and weakness. This is for sure something to use in the fight for the GP3 title!
- Finally, what are your ambitions for the future?
Hubert: My ambition is to become a professional driver. I really want to live from my passion!
I would like to say a huge thank you to Hubert for taking time out from his preparation for Spa Francorchamps during the summer break and doing this interview.