Lewis gunning for home successposted in KNOCK03 | 09 | 2010
THE BRITISH Touring Car Championship may be the headline-grabbing spectacle at Knockhill this weekend but for one 20-year-old Scot, his first race on the 1.3-mile Fife circuit could help catapult him to Formula One.
Golspie in Sutherland isn't the place you normally associate world class racing drivers, but Lewis Williamson has lived there eight years since moving with his family from Dundee. Now, having progressed through the karting ranks and pocketed numerous titles, the Highlander has his eyes set on winning the Formula Renault Championship.
"I know, it's strange, but though it's my 'home' circuit, I've never actually raced at Knockhill before."
Now, having progressed through the karting ranks and pocketed numerous titles, the Highlander has his eyes set on winning the Formula Renault Championship. Such is the significance of FRenault that it helped ease F1 world champs Kimi Raikkonen, Lewis Hamilton — both drove for the same Manor Motorsport team as Williamson currently leads — and fellow Scot Paul di Resta, into the sport's highest echelon.
With just three meetings and six races remaining, Williamson is just 11 points behind championship leader, Hungarian Tama’s Pa’l Kiss and the Scot is hoping home advantage will boost his title hopes; despite never having raced at Knockhill before.
Williamson is one for the future
"I know, it's strange," Williamson laughed, "but though it's my 'home' circuit, I've never actually raced at Knockhill before. I actually came down earlier this week and spent a few hours learning it, so I should be ok."
The talented young Scot, sponsored by a group of Highland companies — including Ross-Shire Engineering and Prime Pumps — is certainly one for the future. In his rookie season in FRenault last year, having made the not insignificant leap from karts, the Scot finished on the podium. So far this year he has three wins, four pole positions and numerous podium finishes to his name. What's made the difference?
"I've always been fast," he stated matter-of-factly, "but I found I was spending all my time away from the track thinking about racing. The result was I was mentally tired when race weekend came round. Now, in addition to strenuous fitness regime, I manage my mind better. I only start thinking about the race weekend from about Thursday afternoon. But I also don't let other, non-racing thoughts cloud my mind at the weekend. My approach now is just far more professional."
"You've always got to dream"
Such clarity of thought is one of the facets which makes Williamson one to watch not just for the future, but for the present as well. A current British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC) Rising Star, Williamson spends more time in the car during the week than he does at the weekend.
"I've a daily 100-mile round-trip to and from work," the apprentice fabrication engineer and Ross-shire Engineering's Muir of Ord plant explained. "That's 500 miles a week, then my dad and I will generally drive south to the race circuits in England at the weekend. Last year I drove between 25,000 and 30,000 miles just for work; that's before I even start thinking about racing." And does he harbour any thoughts of making the grade in F1.
"You've always got to dream," he smiled, "but if it comes down to finances, then I know we don't have the cash. My sponsors have done a brilliant job getting me to where I am, but quite where we go from here I don't know.
"Whatever formula we look at for 2001, it's going to be more expensive than FRenault. Winning the title though would definitely be a great help; Paul (di Resta) only finished third, and he's in F1, so why shouldn't I get there. But my priority now is on being the first Scot to win the Formule Renault Championship."
Jim McGill