Last year I had a great second season in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB. It was nice to get that championship wrapped up and, staying on with Team Parker Racing from 2021, it was important to hit the ground running. It was nice, a weight off my shoulders and a box ticked.
This season I was really expecting to be a gold-rated driver, but coming in as I did with a silver grading meant there were plenty more opportunities. To stay with Team Parker again but this time going to the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup with the Porsche 911 GT3-R was a good opportunity to help build my career and see where we end up.
It has been tough because it’s a big challenge with a new car, not only to myself, but to the team as well. It’s the first year for the 992 GT3, so it takes a lot of work and there will be a lot of development to do as well. There are also lots of new tracks for me to get used to, and the racing is very different to what I’ve done before. It’s a big eye-opener because, every time you do something, you then think, ‘Right, I’m ready,’ and then something else comes along that you have to deal with, so there’s a lot more to it. But it’s about rounding yourself out as a proper racing driver.
One big change for me compared to what I’ve been used to before is racing with team-mates in the same car. It’s going to throw up some challenges and it’s a very different mindset, but it’s something that, if you want a professional career in motorsport, you’re going to have to get used to it and it will be good to see how we get on. So far, we haven’t had to make any big changes.
Derek Pierce is a great bronze to drive with. He just wants the best car, so whatever you set up for him, he drives. But, as it’s a new car, everyone’s new to it and it’s going to take a lot of work to get where we want to be. Driving with Andy Meyrick is also interesting. He’s been looking after me with the BRDC SuperStars programme, so it’s great to be alongside him and it’s unique to have a SuperStar and the director in the same car together.
It’s been a privilege to return as a BRDC SuperStar because not many people go off the programme and come back. I can certainly take a lot more experience away from Andy and other people, whereas before, when you get to a certain level of single-seaters, it becomes about what car you drive and what information you require, whereas in this I’m a little fish in a big pond.
Source: Autosport