John Maverick with ambivalent feelings after the season closerMr. Maverick. The season is over and you're 2nd in the WDC while your team took the WCC title. How do you feel now?As you probably expect, it's a mix of feelings. It's great that AMR could claim the title already before this race and it shows what a strong driver pair we had this season. Both Jack and me still fighting for the championship in the last race of the season proved this. But of course this also was a disadvantage compared to DMR. AMR had to concentrate on both of us, we couldn't work together because we both had to focus on ourselves, while DMR could fully concentrate on Nell ... with Thomas driving for him.
That's an interesting aspect you're mentioning. I assume you're referring to the start where Thomas blocked you and thereby helped Nell to pass you?Amongst others, yes. Don't get me wrong, the move was brilliantly executed and in no way unfair. Had we been in the situation, we would have attempted the same, most likely. So I'm not blaming them. But it's a fact that I had a good start and most likely would have stayed in front of Nell without this move. I also need to blame myself, however. In the heat of the moment I was furious on Thomas and DMR and in doing so, I lost concentration for a few rounds and found myself defending and losing positions instead.
So you think this cost you the championship in the end?Yes ... and no. I mean, there were many situations this season where I lost a point or two. The biggest one was probably Montreal, where I had such an amazing pace and was driving towards a completely secure win when the car broke down on me. Without this incident, I would have been in front before the last race. Or Spa, where I the incident with Pedersen made me fall from 2nd to 4th, again losing out points that would have made me champion.
Nonetheless you never gave up, did you?Well, the last race pretty much reflected my whole season, and even my whole career so far. Always so close but not quite on top. I gave my best till the last round, I think everybody could see this. But even if I had caught Nell, I still would have missed out on a point, because of the ultra-boosted TNRs that prevented even an extra point for the fastest lap. And if's don't work anyway. It is as it is and in the end, it is okay the way it is. Cause honestly, if you ask me who I think was the best driver this season, I would say Sebastian Nell without hesitation. He was the most consistent driver and although he had his struggles with qualifying pace, he almost always made up for it in the race. That guy is a racer and he deserves the title. I'm just sad because while he might get extra chances in the future, this was my last chance, at least for a good while. But again, big congrats to Nell, he's a very well deserved champion.
Yes, you're starting your own team, will continue testing but the real racing will be done by others now. Is that bittersweet?Absolutely. I'll miss racing for AMR. It's the team I started with and it's the team that brought me my biggest success. I'm sad that we couldn't end the circle with a big title celebration and that, on top of that, both Jack and me couldn't make it. But now I'm also looking forward to the new era, the era of Maverick Track Performance. I'm incredibly happy that we could come up with such a strong team for our first season. And I'm confident that we can set a landmark or two in our primary season. And who knows, maybe, one day, MTP will succeed in what I couldn't do as a driver.
Ok, one final question. The season is over now, what are the plans for the offseason?Well, first of all, I'll take a break with my family, enjoy Christmas and load the batteries. Then the focus will be on setting up the team for a successful season.
That sound like a plan. Thank you for your time and Merry Christmas.GPGSL : Team Owner of 'Maverick Track Performance' (MTP)