Last year’s 2nd best Formula Renault 2.0 driver Nico Gruber sees his future in touring cars. At least, he told us that in our exclusive interview.
Nico, you have finished 2nd in last year’s Formula Renault 2.0 category, only behind Bartlomiej Mirecki. How would you describe your season?
It was really difficult. Especially, because Bartlomiej has so much more experience than me. I did everything I could, I learnt a lot and it’s something that I can use in the future.
The whole championship battle was very close. Apart from the winner Bartlomiej Mirecki, there was also Robert Hefler. How did you enjoy fighting both these drivers?
It was incredible. Every race was very difficult, but it was also fair, which I really enjoyed.
What is your best memory of the season?
Slovakia Ring. In one of the races there, I had a very tough battle with Bartlomiej, but in the end, I managed to win. It was very hard to stay in the lead from the beginning until the end. For me, it was one of the most exciting races.
And the worst moment?
I have not bad moments from the last season. I always tried to learn from my mistakes, and I wasn’t disappointed. Whenever a problem appeared, I tried to solve it and come back stronger.
However, you did not race only with Formula Renault 2.0 car, but you also tried an F4, which you raced in the opening round of the F4 German championship at Oschersleben. How did that go?
It was something completely different. All of these drivers were tough competitors. If you want to race against these hungry young drivers, you need to try everything to challenge them.
You also raced with the Formula Renault 2.0 car in other championships. You were especially successful in the Drexler Formel Cup where you dominated. What does that success mean to you?
It means a lot. We had a fairly low budget for these races, so I couldn’t do much testing on any of the new tracks and I had to learn really fast. But it was amazing because it had taught me a lot as a driver, and also as a person.
Also, you have already raced in 2020. You race in the TCR Malaysia championship, where you drive with touring cars and it seems like you are doing quite well – you have one win and you are currently 4th in the championship standings after 2 out of 3 races. How would you describe your performances so far? And how would you compare touring cars and single-seaters?
I’m really happy with my results in TCR Malaysia. Of course, the touring cars are something else than single-seaters, but I’m truly enjoying driving those ‘beasts’!
And what about your future? Do you plan to continue in our Formula Renault 2.0 championship? Or do you want to move fully to the TCR scene? Or is there something completely different and unexpected?
At the moment, I’m fully focused on the TCR category and I’m trying to raise enough money to participate in a German championship.