TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Only two more GP2 auto racing series remain this season, and 22-year-old Rio Haryanto, who hails from Solo, Central Java, needs to set up his Formula 1 team soon to prepare for the next season. Otherwise, he will lose his chance to take part in the world's most famous automobile racing event.
Rio's achievements in the GP2 have been amazing. He was the winner three times and twice the runner-up. Today, he stands in third place of temporary classifications. After he won the GP2 Silverstone Series in the United Kingdom last July, three F1 teams the Sahara Force Indi, Sauber and Manor expressed their interest in Rio and invited him to join them. His consistent performance during the season became quite a conversation topic.
Of course, Rio was flattered by all the offers. Unfortunately, because he failed to respond quickly enough, the Sahara Force and Sauber offers expired. They gave the seat that should have gone to Rio to other racers. Only the Manor team, formerly known as Marussia, has kept the door open for Rio until the end of the month. Otherwise, Manor will offer the opportunity to some other racer.
So Rio, together with his management team, planned to meet with President Joko Widodo, Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama and State-Owned Enterprises Minister Rini Soemarno to get the support needed to take part in the F1 racing event. He hopes the Indonesian government will provide the funds to enable him to respond to Manor's offer. In order to appear at the F1 series, Rio needs about 15 million Euro or the equivalent to more than Rp233 billion.
"We won't be able to advance without funding," Rio told Tempo reporters Firman Atmakusumah, Isma Savitri and Rina Widiastuti in an interview at his Kelapa Gading apartment last week. In an hourlong interview, Rio shared his views on his efforts so far to realize his dream. "This isn't just about my own pride; it's also for Indonesia," said Rio. Excerpts:
What have you done so far to seek financial support?
Two months ago, after I won the GP2 UK Series, I went to see Pak Jokowi at the palace. My management team, the SOE minister, the Pertamina director and the sports and youth affairs minister joined the meeting to discuss plans for the F1 event next year. Pak Jokowi was supportive. He hoped, besides Pertamina, that other state-owned companies would also help. At that time, the SOE minister said okay. Today, we are still awaiting the confirmation.
How much does it take to race in the F1?
About 15 million Euro. Pertamina seems willing to give its support but has not confirmed. It will send its confirmation to the SOE ministry. This year at the GP2, Pertamina provided 70 percent of the budget so I'm very grateful to Pertamina, which has been supporting us so far.
Have there been any offers of support from foreign sponsors?
None.
Have there been efforts to approach private companies?
The management team has sent them proposals, but so far, we have gotten no response. Perhaps it's because of the huge cost.
So what do you expect from the government?
We have a rare opportunity to take part in the F1 event, and one team has offered to take us in. My hope is that the government will take an interest in this. If it comes through, it will be a historical moment for Indonesia. The only Indonesian and the only Asian to take part in the F1 event in 2016.
I am aware that the budget is not small, particularly given the current unfavorable economic situation, in which the the dollar exchange rate remains unstable. But this isn't just about my own pride; it's also for Indonesia. My hope is that if we are able to enter the F1, I can represent Indonesia in international racing events.
Evidently, racing skills alone are not enough. Was this taken into consideration?
Yes. There are three factors to determine one's participation in the F1. The first factor is one's successes in the Go Kart, Formula and GP categories. Secondly, such an opportunity is rare, because every year, there are only one or two new racers. Sometimes, there are no racers at all and lastly, the financial support. Those three factors determine one's participation at the F1 event.
Malaysian racer Alex Yoong and Indian racer Karun Chandhok have taken part in the F1 due to their government's strong support. Is that how it should always be?
Alex is supported by the Malaysian government, which has its own circuit, and Chandhok has a team. But governments can provide financial support if there are no circuits or no teams. With funds, we can go to the F1.
Which teams have made you offers?
Last season, after I came out the winner in the UK, three teams made me offers. They were Force India, Sauber and Manor. But Force India has announced it had signed on two racers, Sergio Perez and Nico Hulkenbert. Sauber also has its own racer. The only remaining team to give us a place is Manor.
Force India is a good team, why did you let it go?
I was really happy when Force India made the offer, especially since I also got a positive response from Pak Jokowi. My managers tried their best to approach the government, but because we were late in confirming it, the place was taken by another racer. We heard they got Perez. We were disappointed because it was a rare opportunity. Two teams got away because we were late in guaranteeing our confirmation.
Was Manor aggressively after you?
Their offer was not just about money but also about winning. Right now, they are the only one left. In the next season, they will partner with F1 Mercedes and William. Hopefully, they have good training, but the deadline by Manor is only two weeks from now, or the end of this month.
Are there other racers eyeing that place offered by Manor?
Today, Manor has racers Will Steve, Alexander Rossi and Robert Merchi as test drivers for the team. Those three have raced at the F1. So the competition is quite tough.
If the government support comes through, would you be able to directly race in the F1?
Yes, if a deal is made, I immediately will become a primary racer for Manor. But I won't be able to move forward if there are no funds. Without government support, it would be quite difficult because what we need right now is funding.
If you fail to be in the F1, what will you do next?
I don't know what I will do yet. Maybe sell books?
Surely you can race in the GP2 Series again?
Yes, I can. But I must look for a new team again, do another contract. This year would be a golden opportunity to take part in the F1. There might not be one next year. This year, there just happens to be an available space.
Your past victories do not automatically attract sponsors.
It helps but it's not a guarantee. Last year, British racer Jolyon Palmer was the GP2 winner but he was unable to be in the F1 because of insufficient funding. In the end, he was only a test driver for the F1 Lotus team.
What will you do until Manor's deadline?
We will try as hard as we can to contact a number of sources. Next week, we will meet with Pak Ahok (Jakarta's governor).
What are the chances of getting sponsorship from other countries?
We never tried it before because we were sure the Indonesian government would give us the support after the successes we earned for the nation.
Does the government know about the deadline?
Yes. My managers have told them about it.
Is your family doing anything to support your goal to race in the F1?
My parents have tried their best to look for a way, such as access to the government, to other companies, and I'm thankful to them. But I'm still waiting for a decision from the government that tells me, "yes, go to F1." (*)
Read the full interview in this week's edition of Tempo English Magazine
ONLY two more GP2 auto racing series remain this season, and 22-year-old Rio Haryanto, who hails from Solo, Central Java, needs to set up his Formula 1 team soon to prepare for the next season. Otherwise, he will lose his chance to take part in the world's most famous automobile racing event.
Rio's achievements in the GP2 have been amazing. He was the winner three times and twice the runner-up. Today, he stands in third place of temporary classifications. After he won the GP2 Silverstone Series in the United Kingdom last July, three F1 teams the Sahara Force Indi, Sauber and Manor expressed their interest in Rio and invited him to join them. His consistent performance during the season became quite a conversation topic.
Of course, Rio was flattered by all the offers. Unfortunately, because he failed to respond quickly enough, the Sahara Force and Sauber offers expired. They gave the seat that should have gone to Rio to other racers. Only the Manor team, formerly known as Marussia, has kept the door open for Rio until the end of the month. Otherwise, Manor will offer the opportunity to some other racer.
So Rio, together with his management team, planned to meet with President Joko Widodo, Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama and State-Owned Enterprises Minister Rini Soemarno to get the support needed to take part in the F1 racing event. He hopes the Indonesian government will provide the funds to enable him to respond to Manor's offer. In order to appear at the F1 series, Rio needs about 15 million or the equivalent to more than Rp233 billion.
"We won't be able to advance without funding," Rio told Tempo reporters Firman Atmakusumah, Isma Savitri and Rina Widiastuti in an interview at his Kelapa Gading apartment last week. In an hourlong interview, Rio shared his views on his efforts so far to realize his dream. "This isn't just about my own pride; it's also for Indonesia," said Rio.
What have you done so far to seek financial support?
Two months ago, after I won the GP2 UK Series, I went to see Pak Jokowi at the palace. My management team, the SOE minister, the Pertamina director and the sports and youth affairs minister joined the meeting to discuss plans for the F1 event next year. Pak Jokowi was supportive. He hoped, besides Pertamina, that other state-owned companies would also help. At that time, the SOE minister said okay. Today, we are still awaiting the confirmation.
How much does it take to race in the F1?
About 15 million euro. Pertamina seems willing to give its support but has not confirmed. It will send its confirmation to the SOE ministry. This year at the GP2, Pertamina provided 70 percent of the budget so I'm very grateful to Pertamina, which has been supporting us so far.
Have there been any offers of support from foreign sponsors?
None.
Have there been efforts to approach private companies?
The management team has sent them proposals, but so far, we have gotten no response. Perhaps it's because of the huge cost.
So what do you expect from the government?
We have a rare opportunity to take part in the F1 event, and one team has offered to take us in. My hope is that the government will take an interest in this. If it comes through, it will be a historical moment for Indonesia. The only Indonesian and the only Asian to take part in the F1 event in 2016.
I am aware that the budget is not small, particularly given the current unfavorable economic situation, in which the the dollar exchange rate remains unstable. But this isn't just about my own pride; it's also for Indonesia. My hope is that if we are able to enter the F1, I can represent Indonesia in international racing events.
Evidently, racing skills alone are not enough. Was this taken into consideration?
Yes. There are three factors to determine one's participation in the F1. The first factor is one's successes in the Go Kart, Formula and GP categories. Secondly, such an opportunity is rare, because every year, there are only one or two new racers. Sometimes, there are no racers at all and lastly, the financial support. Those three factors determine one's participation at the F1 event.
Malaysian racer Alex Yoong and Indian racer Karun Chandhok have taken part in the F1 due to their government's strong support. Is that how it should always be?
Alex is supported by the Malaysian government, which has its own circuit, and Chandhok has a team. But governments can provide financial support if there are no circuits or no teams. With funds, we can go to the F1.
Which teams have made you offers?
Last season, after I came out the winner in the UK, three teams made me offers. They were Force India, Sauber and Manor. But Force India has announced it had signed on two racers Sergio Perez and Nico Hulkenbert. Sauber also has its own racer. The only remaining team to give us a place is Manor.
Force India is a good team, why did you let it go?
I was really happy when Force India made the offer, especially since I also got a positive response from Pak Jokowi. My managers tried their best to approach the government, but because we were late in confirming it, the place was taken by another racer. We heard they got Perez. We were disappointed because it was a rare opportunity. Two teams got away because we were late in guaranteeing our confirmation.
Was Manor aggressively after you?
Their offer was not just about money but also about winning. Right now, they are the only one left. In the next season, they will partner with F1 Mercedes and William. Hopefully, they have good training, but the deadline by Manor is only two weeks from now, or the end of this month.
Are there other racers eyeing that place offered by Manor?
Today, Manor has racers Will Steve, Alexander Rossi and Robert Merchi as test drivers for the team. Those three have raced at the F1. So the competition is quite tough.
If the government support comes through, would you be able to directly race in the F1?
Yes, if a deal is made, I immediately will become a primary racer for Manor. But I won't be able to move forward if there are no funds. Without government support, it would be quite difficult because what we need right now is funding.
If you fail to be in the F1, what will you do next?
I don't know what I will do yet. Maybe sell books?
Surely you can race in the GP2 Series again?
Yes, I can. But I must look for a new team again, do another contract. This year would be a golden opportunity to take part in the F1. There might not be one next year. This year, there just happens to be an available space.
Your past victories do not automatically attract sponsors.
It helps but it's not a guarantee. Last year, British racer Jolyon Palmer was the GP2 winner but he was unable to be in the F1 because of insufficient funding. In the end, he was only a test driver for the F1 Lotus team.
What will you do until Manor's deadline?
We will try as hard as we can to contact a number of sources. Next week, we will meet with Pak Ahok (Jakarta's governor).
What are the chances of getting sponsorship from other countries?
We never tried it before because we were sure the Indonesian government would give us the support after the successes we earned for the nation.
Does the government know about the deadline?
Yes. My managers have told them about it.
Is the boss of Campos Racing team, Adrian Campos, aware of your efforts to be in the F1?
Yes. He knows about the current situation. He's also helping to look for a team.
Is he convinced you're qualified for the F1?
Yes. Having been an F1 racer and now as boss of Campos Racing, he is quite well-known in the Spanish media. In the Campos team, I am known as a winning racer. He told the Spanish media, "Rio will be in the F1 with the support of the Indonesian government." He has helped to expose us not just in Indonesia but also in Spain.
The Campos Racing team cannot take you to the F1?
No. Adrian once set up a team for F1 in 2010, but because of money problems, he withdrew and was bought out by his partner. Right now, he has no budget and no chance of being in the F1. The number of available F1 teams is limited. Next year, there will only be one new F1 team, and that's the United States.
Are you personally close to Adrian?
We usually chat once a week or once every two weeks, sometimes in his office, while sipping coffee or smoking. I really like him. He has given us valuable advice, sharing his past mistakes, "you shouldn't make the same mistakes," he told me. He was the one who brought Fernando Alonso to the F1 for the first time.
In your opinion, what is the ideal F1 team?
The ideal team is one that is united and be able to communicate effectively, not just work and go home after the car is taken care of. It's more than that. They must be serious about coming up with good results. So, it's not just about me wanting to win but a united team that really gives its best, like family members, inspiring one another.
Would you say the Campos team is ideal?
Yes. I really like being in that team. The boss and the crew are all very motivating. There are two engineers working with me, Emilio Lozano who does the settings and the strategy, and there's Gonzalo Baez, who takes care of the car's electronics. Emilio thinks in an open way. I usually discuss with him about the car's settings. He also motivates me when I'm in the car's cockpit.
You've done quite well this season. What's the secret?
I have a strong team. Together with the mechanic, the engineer, we get consistent setting at every circuits. My experience during three GP2 seasons before this has helped me to adapt quickly, from track to track. The result has been good, I've been a winner three times in Bahrain, Austria and the UK, and came up second in Bahrain and Russia.
At the GP2 series, 26 racers had the same type of cars, the difference was only on the cars' settings and the communication between the team and driving skill. Today, I'm able to select which setting for different conditions, because each circuit has different weather patterns and different types of asphalt. So, I feel experienced enough for every circuit and I'm confident of choosing my own settings.
It wasn't like that before?
It didn't work that well with previous teams. At the Caterham Racing, the engineer felt his view was the right one, so there were communication problems.
Are you more confident of yourself now?
During the early years, at the GP3 and GP2 Series, I was at the front line, but not consistently. This year, I'm more consistent, and that's because I want badly to be in the F1. One key is to win more than once and this needs well-managed preparations before each race.
Do you ever doubt yourself?
This recent GP2 was very competitive. A small mechanical mistake can cause a big difference, and that's when I doubt myself.
When did you find the right setting?
This year after I learnt how to set it myself. I live in Valencia, so everyday I'm able to learn from the team's crew. At the beginning I couldn't understand its importance. I just thought about driving as fast as possible. This year, I was involved in setting the cars. Now I know about 70 to 80 percent about engineering.
You don't have problems communicating with the team, but what about with other GP2 racers?
Outside of the circuit, we get along fine although we don't discuss technical issues. I often ask Stoffel Vandoorne about McLaren's condition because this year he became a junior racer. I also chat often with Alexander Rossi, who has raced in the F1.
How about relations with a racer in your own team, Pic Arthur?
Our chats tend to be more technical and we share data.
Who are you most friendly with?
No one in particular. Most of them live in the UK. After a race, they will go back there, while I remain in Valencia. I socialize a lot with F3 racers from Campos Racing, whom I share a house with.
Have you ever felt undermined by other racers?
In the beginning I did, but after I showed how I could win a number of times, they stopped underestimating me, especially now that I rank third in the championship category this season. Today, during qualifying times, they often look at my car.
You came out the winner in Bahrain, also as runner-up, this season. Was that important in building your self-confidence?
For sure. After three unfulfilling seasons, it suddenly started to get better. The team and I feel confident that this season we will be more consistent.
In the Belgian Series, you were penalized although you came up second. How did you feel about that?
Very disappointed, but the team and I tried to move on and look toward the next race. We started to open our computers one or two hours later, looking for the cause. Maybe it was the wrong strategy or the wrong setting. Then we searched for ideas, with the engineer giving me feedback or the other way around.
You did drop to fourth rank at one point, but then went up again to third rank at the GP Russia Series. How did you and your team do it?
We changed the engine that we had used since we trained this season, clocking eight races, meaning more than 3,300 kilometers. After we used a new engine, we were able to compete again and won as runner-up in Russia last week.
With just two races left this season, what will be your target?
To be consistent and remain in the third ranking, because the difference is only five points. The difference between fifth and sixth ranks is 36 points.
When were you first interested in being an F1 racer?
I first entered the racing world at the age of six, starting with Go Karts. I may have inherited it from my father, who loved to race Go Karts, motorcycles and cars. My older brothers was a Go Kart and a Formula Asia racer. I was the youngest and my family wanted me to enter the F1 race. I preferred watching F1 races on television to going to the mall. My idol was Michael Schumacher. I've thought about going to the F1 since I was very young, especially after I'd won the Formula BMW Asia Pacific 2009, and came fifth at the GP3. I'm now in my fourth GP2 year. The next step will be the F1.
Can you imagine what it will be like to be an F1 racer?
At the GP2 there are 11 series, always together with the F1. I'm now used to the environment. But for the F1, there will be an additional 10 series, so I will have less time.
Have you tried an F1 car?
I did, in 2010 when I tried it with the Marussia (now Manor) team. I was quite shocked by the car's rapid acceleration. I told myself that I would need to prepare myself better if I were to race in the F1. Communication with the team will be more complicated because there'll be more than one engineer.
Amid your busy time, do you still have time to hang out?
If I'm not racing, I hang out with friends but not as often as other young people.
Do you have time for college?
Yes, in Singapore I take D3 courses in management. But it's tough to go to school and race at the same time. When I'm not racing, I do my university projects. They are kind enough to give me extra time because of my achievements. Last season I passed the exams so this year I will focus on racing.
Do you have ambitions to be a businessman?
Not really. I would like to complete my studies so I have something to fall back on when I no longer race.
Is your family doing anything to support your goal to race in the F1?
My parents have tried their best to look for a way, such as access to the government, to other companies, and I'm thankful to them. But I'm still waiting for a decision from the government that tells me, "yes, go to F1." l
