IFM: Interview with rookie Tomas Pivoda

Promising debut in International Formula Master

Tomas Pivoda: "I am happy with my progress!"

The former Grand Prix track of Estoril is a real challenge but for Tomas Pivoda's maiden race start in International Formula Master it was just a perfect location to underline his potential. Without any track knowledge the 16-year-old rookie didn't put a wheel wrong over the whole race weekend and caused a stir by keeping the pace of much more experienced drivers in the final Sunday race. Back home in Moravia Tomas spoke about some breath taking moments in the last couple of weeks...

Q: Let's start with the bad news: Your team, ADM Motorsport, lost one of their trucks including a race car and most of their equipment in a fire, so you had to race for their fellow countrymen from Euronova?

Tomas: "That's right. The news was really shocking for me, as I had left Magione with some good feelings and a 5th in my pocket. ADM had no chance to provide a 4th car for Estoril, however, we agreed, that in this case, we can make a single start for the team of Vincenzo Sospiri. And I was very thankful for that opportunity."

Q: The team was quite happy with your approach and how you improved step by step from session to session...

Tomas: "International Formula Master is a very competitive series, so you cannot arrive in Estoril without any track knowledge and fight with the likes of van der Drift, Ammermuller or Siedler. However, I am quite satisfied with my progress. I finished 20th and my fastest lap in race two was just 1,5 seconds behind the one of Ammermuller. And, don't forget, this guy won a race in GP2 and was a Formula 1 test driver."

Q: So what does it take to becoming a top driver in International Formula Master?

Tomas: "Give me just a little bit more time and mileage. I am the youngest driver on the grid and it feels like yesterday that I finished with karting. Looking back I am sure that it was the right way to continue with racing, even if I could be more successful in a lower category among drivers, who had been competing with me until last year."

Q: Is that an essential part of your racing philosophy?

Tomas: Absolutely. We didn't spend too much time in national championships, but decided to take the competition in Italy, the motherland of karting. The challenge I am now facing in International Formula Master is quite similar. Anyway, I know what I am doing and this maiden race weekend in the International series was a first boost for my self confidence."

Q: You are quite a sharp analyser, so what do you think about your weak points and about your potentials?

Tomas: "I need to get more confidence in the car and, of course, I have to learn all the race tracks. The data acquisition shows that, in some corners, I am already competitive. This is a good sign and one of my pros is that I can work on a weak point very precisely. As said before, we only need to be patient, as my programme in the series has just started."

Q: On Tuesday evening, you did some laps in Mark Webber's former Formula 3000 car. So how was that experience?

Tomas: "It was quite interesting, even if we could only complete 10 flying laps on the Pannoniaring, due to a technical problem. The V8 Zytek engine is really impressive, as it is based on an old Formula 1 engine. It has almost 500 horsepower, so you have to fight with a lot of wheel spin. But as a left food breaker I prefer to drive the modern Formula Master car."

Q: The next rounds of IFM will you to Brand Hatch, a famous race track that played host to some spectacular Formula One racing over the years...

Tomas: "I am looking forward to it and I am hoping to show some progress. The only worry I have is that the free practice will be held on the short track whereas qualifying is scheduled on the Grand Prix circuit. And this will be a real handicap for a rookie driver."

Q: So you will make your comeback for ADM Motorsport partnering with Norbert Siedler and Michele Caliendo?

Tomas: "Actually I was never away, as we spent a lot of time together in Portugal. We went out for dinner and to the beach, having a very good atmosphere as usual. And we are fully motivated to give our very best in the next rounds of International and Italia Formula Master."

Thanks and good luck for Brands!

-credit: tomaspivoda.com