Interview with Deano

This week, we had a catch up with Deano, the man from up North with an encyclopaedic brain when it comes to Formula One. Ahead of the Catalunya Grand Prix we sit down to talk about Top Gear E-Racing, his hopes and aspirations for the Sprint Championship and even the real life Monaco Grand Prix.

Q1: Hi Deano, great to have you with us for the build up to the Grand Prix. I thought it would be good for the new guys to hear from someone who’s been with me from the start in creating this league so if you would like to say a little bit about yourself and introduce yourself, now is your time.

A: Hi everyone and welcome to the league. As Cal has mentioned I have been here from the beginning. When he asked me to be involved in the league I jumped at the chance. I have played F1 games all my life, knowing I'm not the best but it is the enjoyment factor that drives me on. I am excited for the new league to begin and see how I match against a new set of drivers. I am from the UK and I hope to taste the champagne at some point of the season.

Q2: So we started this league to build a community that all loves Formula One. As one of the community leaders and someone who helped shape the league with your ideas, how pleased are you with the progress?

A: The progress of the new league has been rapid and surprising. From the first idea of the new league it has been on the rise. Several people(myself included) have offered ideas for the best possible outcome and all ideas have been appreciated, respected and a few have been approved. You really get a sense of all ideas are welcome in the planning of this league which is a big attraction for people. Wanting to join. Building a community is very important in creating a new league in my opinion. I hope this community continues to grow and is the best it can be. With the leadership of valued members who have been involved from the start I see no reason why this can't be the best F1 league/community in the world.

Q3: It’s early days and the community is still getting to know each other, but do you hope to get to know the guys your racing over the next few weeks as the league kicks into action?

A: Meeting new competitors is something I am excited for and it is a new challenge. As this is a community and not just a league I hope that we will be able to have a laugh and a joke with each other whilst maintaining a healthy rivalry. The world has been deeply affected by the pandemic and we now have an opportunity to play with new people and forge new rivalries. I look forward to hearing from all the new drivers and hope to make them feel happy and give them a sense of this is their distraction from all of that.

Q4: Finally on the topic of the league, what are you most looking forward to whether that be the Sprint Championship or next season Sector 3 Championship or even the Invitational events that maybe some people aren’t yet aware of?

A: Next season will see a sector 3 championship(3 championships in one). I find this to be unique having not seen this in an F1 league before. It is used in real life motorsports most popular in endurance racing and is used to great effect so this is a big part of the excitement for the new league. It gives us a head start on the competition as it is something different whilst similar as your still have the opportunity to win as you would in a normal format. I feel like a number of people will be interested in this.

Q5: Moving onto the racing, this weekend we are doing a 50% race around Catalunya, is it a track you enjoy and do you think you will have a strong weekend to set you up for the series opener in Silverstone next week?

A: Catalunya is most definitely a track I enjoy. I know not to be the quickest driver but I think it will be a strong weekend for me. Seeing how I measure against the rest of the league I take this race seriously with the aim of getting the max out of the car, hoping for some clean but close racing.

Q6: We know that you are a competent driver, but is your aim to improve your overall speed this season to work your way up the grid or is it a matter of consistency or something else such as strategy or even assists? What is it that you want to work on to improve your driving as the season goes on?

A: Competing at a more consistent level of racing whilst having no assists is the greatest challenge to me. You can improve everything you do. But consistency is the biggest thing for me. If I can get my consistency up then I have a fighting chance.

Q7: In terms of other drivers, is there anyone from the induction at France that caught your eye and you thought, wow we are going to have some close races this season?

A: There were several drivers in the induction that made me think oh boy we have some racers here. I'm not going to mention names but there were some very clean but very fast drivers that I feel I can battle with.

Q8: This weekend is another great opportunity to practice before we go to Silverstone as I don’t believe you’ve done any 50% distance league racing, but looking forward are their any particular tracks in the calendar that your targeting for success?

A: 50% racing isn't something I have great experience of you're right so it will be interesting to see what strategy I choose and how my performance matches compared to the other drivers. As for tracks I look forward to in the main sector 3 championship I would say, Spain, Britain, Spa, Monza and Singapore are strong chances of me getting a good result. I hope I can achieve good results at other circuits but these represent the best opportunities to me.

Q9: I know in the future you have some aspirations to commentate on a race and I have no doubt you’ll be in your element if the opportunity arises. It’s hard because your schedule is so full up with racing, but perhaps you could commentate one of the invitational races next year, possibly with your good friend Steve. How would you feel about that?

A: Commentating on a race one day is something I most definitely definitely do want to do. However my racing comes first and so I will have to wait and see if the opportunity arises. I could do the commentary on an invitational race as you said which would be a new challenge for me as racing and commentating are two completely different things. I look at this as another new challenge and look forward to it.

Q10: Before we move onto the final couple of questions, I would love to know who your heroes are in F1. I know you picked Stewart and Hakkinen in your dream team, is their any other drivers or do they have an influence on how your drive your own car?

A: This question can never be answered incorrectly as it is all opinion based. As you said Sir Jackie Stuart and Mika Hakkinen are my dream team line up drivers as they are full of respect and class(something lacking in a lot of today's drivers). I was a fan of Mark Webber who was a one lap specialist. I was in awe of the skills of Fernando Alonso in his championship winning years. Michael Schumacher was obviously one of the best and you have to respect what he did. Looking away form the cockpit Ross Brawn was a very intelligent guy and his worth these days would be insane. I like Zak Brown and Toto Wolff. Commentary well there is only one man and that is Murray Walker. We lost a great man when he passed on.

Q11: We can’t ignore the fact that the real F1 is heading to Monaco this weekend, who’s your tip for pole and even the race win. We know anything can happen in the streets of Monaco, can you see anyone beating either Hamilton or Verstappen?

A: This weekend in Monaco my tip for pole is Sir Lewis Hamilton. As for the race I have a sneaky suspicion that Lando Norris may cause a shock to the leading 2 drivers. And don't count out George Russell for a point at the principality.

Q12: We have covered a lot today, but is there anything that you would like to add before you catch your flight out to Spain? I hope you have your passport ready now.

A: Passport ready, bag packed, lucky mascot ready. All that remains to be said is in 2 days it will be one light, two lights, three lights, four lights, five lights and it's GO, GO, GO!!!!!