Robert Wickens Interview

Pole position means the driver starts the race from the front of the grid, based on qualifying speed. It’s a big advantage because it helps you control the start and avoid early traffic.

“Break new ground” here suggests pioneering a new way to race—likely involving adaptations and new approaches after an accident. It implies overcoming barriers that aren’t just about driving skill, but also about access, equipment, and eligibility to compete.

TCR refers to the TCR touring car racing formula, which uses production-based front-wheel-drive cars built to a common set of rules. A “TCR car” typically means a race-prepped sedan/hatchback with standardized safety equipment and performance balancing so different makes can compete closely.

Brinehart Autosport is a racing team that prepares and fields cars for series like TCR. In this segment, they’re the organization that gave Wickens the chance to drive a TCR car.

Hand controls are driver-operated systems that replace or supplement foot pedals, allowing drivers with limited leg mobility to brake and sometimes accelerate using the hands. In racing, these systems are often custom-fitted and tuned so braking feel and modulation match what the driver needs to stay consistent at speed.

“Braking felt natural” points to how the control system’s hydraulic or mechanical linkage affects pedal/lever feel and modulation. Consistent braking feel is critical in racing because it helps the driver hit repeatable deceleration and set up corner entry without over- or under-braking.

A “hydraulic sensation” suggests the braking system uses hydraulic pressure to move the brakes, and the driver is trying to recreate the specific feel they’re used to. In hand-control conversions, engineers often tune lever travel, pressure curves, and response time so the driver gets familiar feedback and control.

This segment describes a performance-enabling concept: adapting vehicle controls to match the driver’s strengths and muscle memory. When the braking interface (hand controls, feel, modulation) is tuned correctly, it can reduce driver workload and improve consistency—key ingredients for faster lap times.

This is a motorsport series name mentioned as a career step for Robert Wickens. It’s worth explaining because listeners may not recognize the ladder of sports-car championships and how drivers move between series.

An electronic braking system uses sensors and electronic control to manage braking behavior rather than relying purely on mechanical/hydraulic feel. In racing, this can improve consistency lap-to-lap and help the car maintain stability when braking hard.

Pratt & Miller is a motorsport engineering and race-prep company known for building and supporting high-performance vehicles for racing programs. Mentioning them here signals that the Corvette Z06 GT3R was professionally prepared and fitted for competition.

Corvette Racing is Chevrolet’s factory-backed racing program, historically competing in endurance and GT series. In this context, it indicates the Corvette Z06 GT3R was prepared with support from the Corvette Racing organization.

iRacing is a subscription-based racing simulator where drivers compete online in realistic physics and tracks. For aspiring racers, it’s a way to practice racecraft—lines, braking points, and consistency—without being on-track in a real car.

“Pole” means starting first on the grid based on qualifying speed. “Leading every lap” describes converting that front-row start into a full-race control advantage, usually by managing pace, tires, and traffic without losing position.

A “sprint race” is typically a shorter race format that emphasizes qualifying-like intensity and often changes strategy compared with a full-length race. Running only a limited number of sprints in a season affects how drivers build consistency, tire data, and points momentum.

In racing, “racecraft” is the set of driving skills and decisions used to gain and defend positions. Braking is critical because it determines how late you can slow down for corners while still keeping the car stable and controllable.

Locking a tire happens when braking force exceeds tire grip, causing the wheel to stop rotating. It usually reduces braking effectiveness and can upset the car’s balance, especially while turning or on lower-grip surfaces.

“Braking sensation” refers to how the brakes respond to input—how quickly they build pressure, how linear the response feels, and how consistent it is lap after lap. For drivers using hand controls, matching this sensation is crucial for confidence and for hitting braking points precisely.

Pratt Miller is a well-known motorsports engineering and development company that has worked on performance and racing programs. In this context, they developed the hand-control interface used to coordinate braking, downshifting, and upshifting.

Downshifting means selecting a lower gear to increase engine speed and help the car slow more effectively while also setting up for corner exit. In this interview, the driver uses hand-operated controls so downshifts can be coordinated with braking and corner entry.

An upshift is moving to a higher gear, usually to keep the engine in a good power band and improve efficiency as speed rises. Here, the driver coordinates upshifts with throttle using hand controls so gear changes happen smoothly without taking attention away from steering.

The Long Beach Hairpin is a tight corner at the Long Beach street circuit where steering angle and driver reach constraints become especially important. The interview uses it as an example of how paddle placement and hand position affect what the driver can do while turning.

Steering-wheel-mounted paddles are shift controls that let the driver change gears without using a traditional gear lever. In this case, their location limits how far the driver can reach during a tight turn, which affects how the driver times shifting while braking and applying throttle.

The phrase describes a driving technique where braking and steering hand positioning are coordinated so the driver can manage both inputs effectively. In racing, where steering angle can be extreme, having a consistent “two-hand” approach helps maintain control and reachability of pedals/paddles.

A “throttle paddle” is a control used to command throttle input (commonly via paddles on the steering wheel in many race cars and some performance cars). The speaker’s point is that steering angle and hand position can determine whether you can physically reach the paddle with the preferred hand.

“Tip in the throttle” means smoothly increasing throttle input at the start of acceleration out of a corner. It’s a key technique because the timing and amount of throttle can strongly affect traction, balance, and how the car rotates through the corner.

The “corkscrew” is Laguna Seca’s signature corner, involving a rapid sequence of direction changes and elevation drop. The speaker highlights how the corner’s demands can require switching hands while also grabbing a gear, showing why track learning is more than just braking points—it’s also about coordinating controls.

“10,000 hours” refers to the idea that deliberate practice over a very large number of hours is what builds expertise. In racing, it’s used to describe how repeated track-specific reps turn complex tasks—like braking, throttle inputs, and gear changes—into something you can do without thinking.

In this context, “Sim” means a driving simulator used for training and practice. It lets drivers rehearse braking and throttle inputs repeatedly without the risk or cost of real track time.

“Foot brakes” means the brake pedal is operated with the feet, as in a conventional car. The speaker contrasts this with their adaptive setup where braking may be done differently, affecting how quickly reactions translate from sim to real driving.

“Throttles” refers to the accelerator control(s) in the simulator or vehicle setup. In training, throttle placement and how you modulate it (or keep it steady) can be as important as braking for maintaining speed and stability.

“Hold it flat out” means keeping the throttle fully open (or near fully open) rather than modulating it. The speaker suggests this may be a workable technique for them during rehab/training, but it has limits for efficiency when they need to quickly release the throttle.

A brake-by-wire system replaces the traditional mechanical/hydraulic connection between your foot and the brakes with electronic signals and actuators. That lets engineers precisely control brake pressure and timing, which is especially useful in racing where consistency and repeatability matter.

IMSA is the sanctioning/organizing body for major sports car racing in North America. The interview mentions IMSA working with the braking system from development through homologation and using telemetry to ensure rules compliance.

Homologation is the formal approval process that confirms a racing technology meets the rules and is allowed to compete. The interview ties homologation to the brake-by-wire system, meaning it had to be validated for compliance before racing use.

Telemetry is live data sent from the car to engineers or officials during a session. Here, IMSA’s constant telemetry on the braking system is used to confirm the driver isn’t gaining an unfair advantage from the electronic control.

This describes how quickly and how much brake hydraulic pressure the electronic system can generate. The key point is that electronic control can produce pressure changes faster and more precisely than a human can modulate with a pedal or hand input.

Latency is the time delay between an input (like a driver command) and the system’s response. The interview says they tune latencies/delays so the electronic braking response matches what a human can do, to keep the competition fair.

Bar is a unit of pressure, commonly used for hydraulic systems. The speaker contrasts a theoretical higher electronic capability with a capped maximum brake pressure to align with human braking limits.

Master cylinders convert the driver’s brake input into hydraulic pressure sent to the brake calipers. In this setup, the driver’s hand control system bypasses the master cylinders, which changes how brake pressure is generated and managed.

Brake bias is the balance of braking force between the front and rear axles. Changing brake bias affects how the car rotates and how stable it feels under braking, especially as tire grip and brake temperatures change during a stint.

“Brake sensation” refers to how braking input translates into deceleration—things like pedal/actuation feel, modulation, and consistency. When switching from foot-operated braking to hand controls, engineers often rework the control and feedback so the driver can judge braking force precisely.

A damper is a device that adds resistance and smooths motion, reducing harshness or sudden movement. In this context, they added a small damper in the center of the steering wheel to help shape the steering “feel” during driving.

Spring rate describes how stiff a spring is—how much force it takes to compress it a given amount. In racing suspension tuning, spring rate strongly affects ride height control, tire contact, and how the car transitions during braking and cornering.

In suspension/controls context, “resolution” usually means the system’s ability to translate small inputs and small road disturbances into predictable, fine-grained responses. On track, higher resolution helps the driver keep the car composed and maintain traction rather than feeling vague or overly reactive.

“Braking fuel” sounds like a driver/engineer shorthand for the confidence and usable performance available under braking—how much deceleration the car can consistently deliver without losing stability or traction. It ties to suspension tuning because damping and spring behavior affect brake traction and weight transfer.

Adding or changing a spring to increase stiffness is a common suspension tuning step. Stiffer springs can reduce excessive body motion and improve control during braking and over bumps, but they can also make the ride harsher and change tire contact if overdone.

In racing, “P1” means first place in the session or race. In this context, Wickens is talking about qualifying at Long Beach and being told he was P1 before the result changed.

The hosts discuss how qualifying results at Long Beach changed after an initial P1/P2 order, followed by a disqualification. This highlights how motorsport outcomes can be affected by post-session penalties and official reviews.

“P2” means second place. Wickens says after being told he was P1, he was then bumped down to P2, which implies a later adjustment to the qualifying results.

“Pole inherited” means the pole position (first on the grid) was reassigned to him after another driver was disqualified. This is common in motorsport when qualifying results are adjusted due to rule infractions.

“Risk first reward” describes a decision-making mindset where a driver weighs how much danger or margin they’re using against the potential payoff. In racing, that often means balancing aggression (speed) with safety (avoiding crashes, mechanical failures, or going off track).

“Put a wheel off” means running a tire onto the track edge—like the grass, gravel, curb runoff, or other off-track surface. It can cost time through reduced grip and can also increase the chance of losing control or damaging the car.

The Nürburgring is a famous motorsport circuit in Germany, known for its challenging layout and high-speed corners. Failures there are especially noticeable because the track demands consistent performance under load.

“Pushing the envelope” means driving at the edge of what the car and tires can handle. In racing, that often looks like braking later and taking less margin, which increases the chance of mistakes and barrier contact.

“Break too late” (brake too late) refers to delaying braking until closer to the corner. It can improve lap time by keeping speed longer, but it reduces the margin for error and can cause missed braking points or lockups.

The segment discusses how a driver’s public story can become dominated by a crash, influencing how others perceive them. In motorsports, this “narrative” can affect sponsorship, fan perception, and even how competitors are treated, regardless of on-track performance.

WeatherTech is a sponsor name attached to IMSA’s top sports-car series branding. In the phrase “IMSA WeatherTech sports car driver,” it indicates the specific racing series context rather than a car model.

A lap time is how long it takes a driver to complete one circuit of a race track. In racing, lap times are used to measure performance, compare drivers, and determine qualifying and race pace.

“Adaptive” motorsport refers to racing opportunities designed for drivers with disabilities, often using specialized vehicle controls or equipment. The phrase suggests a comparison between mainstream racing and adaptive racing pathways.

The speaker references a major racing accident that occurred in 2018, framing it as a turning point. In motorsport, serious crashes can lead to long recovery periods and can influence a driver’s perspective and priorities.

Formula E is an all-electric open-wheel racing series. It’s a useful reference point for how braking, power delivery, and electronics are packaged for high-performance racing.

“Transposed” here means adapting racing technology to other vehicle platforms. Wickens points to packaging constraints inside the cockpit as a first hurdle, which is a common real-world limitation when moving from race cars to road cars.

Electronic braking modules are computer-controlled units that manage brake pressure and braking response. Wickens describes using Bosch modules and arranging them by axle (rear and front) with an ECU coordinating communication and brake-paddle inputs.

ECU stands for Electronic Control Unit, the computer that coordinates inputs and controls actuators. In the transcript, the ECU sits in the middle and coordinates communication between the front and rear electronic braking modules.

A brake paddle is a driver input control (often behind the steering wheel) that requests braking electronically. Wickens explains that his brake paddle sends an electronic signal to the computer, which then commands brake pressure to the calipers.

Brake calipers clamp brake pads onto a rotor to create friction and slow the car. The transcript describes the electronic system “shooting up brake pressure” to the calipers based on the driver’s brake-paddle input.

A transferable, modular system means the disabled-driver control hardware can be moved between vehicles or configurations without a full redesign. The speaker emphasizes that it’s “module”-based and can be installed so it looks like it belongs in a race car rather than an obvious adaptation.

An air compressor is the component that creates compressed air for pneumatic systems. The interview describes an air compressor located in the passenger seat area to supply pressure continuously for the pneumatic actuator used to operate the brake pedal.

Mechanical linkages are physical connections (rods, levers, joints) that transmit motion from one point to another. The speaker notes that the earlier pneumatic setup used a bunch of mechanical linkages, which made it look clunky even though it worked well.

In racing, “weight addition” refers to any added mass from equipment or systems, which can hurt acceleration, braking, and tire wear. Wickens frames the main downside of his system as added weight, then explains how BoP rules compensate for it.

Balance of Performance (BoP) is a racing rule that adjusts things like weight, engine output, or aerodynamics so different cars can compete more evenly. In this segment, Wickens explains how his system’s added weight is accounted for by removing equivalent weight from the BoP ballast so his overall competitiveness stays aligned with rivals.

BoP ballast is the added weight used under Balance of Performance rules to tune a car’s competitiveness. Wickens says his system adds about 10 kg, and that equivalent amount is removed from the BoP ballast so his total weight matches competitors, just distributed differently.

NASCAR is a major American stock-car racing series. Wickens is discussing whether his racing platform/experience could transfer to NASCAR, implying differences in car type and competition style compared with sports-car racing.

“Daytona 24” is shorthand for the 24-hour race at Daytona International Speedway (commonly associated with endurance racing in North America). Wickens mentions it as another potential destination in addition to Le Mans.

IndyCar is the top level of open-wheel racing in the United States, and the 2018 season is a specific reference point for Wickens’ career. Mentioning it frames how his skills and mindset evolved from his earlier peak.

A driver coach helps racers improve by analyzing technique, decision-making, and communication. In IndyCar, coaching often includes reviewing on-track behavior and translating it into actionable changes for the driver’s inputs and race strategy.

The timing stand is where race officials and teams monitor timing, scoring, and performance data during sessions. Wickens references the “humans on the timing stand,” highlighting how driver behavior can affect the people running the operation and the flow of information.

The 24 Hours of Daytona is one of the most prestigious endurance races in North America, held at Daytona International Speedway. It’s a key “bucket list” event for many sports-car drivers because it tests consistency, teamwork, and car reliability over a full day.

GT3 refers to a global sports-car racing class with standardized rules that many manufacturers build cars for. Wickens’ point is that GT3 cars are already competing at Le Mans, making it a realistic target for drivers in that category.

Le Mans (the 24 Hours of Le Mans) is the world-famous endurance race in France and a benchmark event for sports-car racing. Wickens mentions GT3 racing at Le Mans, signaling the importance of the event as a career milestone.

Adaptive motorsport refers to racing programs and technologies that enable drivers with disabilities to compete. It often involves custom vehicle controls and support systems, and it’s aimed at expanding who can participate at high levels of racing.

A “symbiotic relationship” in racing context means both the driver and team benefit from each other’s feedback and coordination. It usually points to strong communication loops between the driver, engineers, and team management to improve performance.

“F2” refers to Formula 2, a feeder series that supports Formula 1 and uses its own race calendar. When Formula 2 adds events like Miami and Canada, it can affect whether drivers and teams can commit to additional races elsewhere (like Indy).

Miami and Canada are referenced as new or added stops on the Formula 2 calendar. Adding races in different countries changes travel, preparation, and availability, which can directly impact whether teams can field extra entries at other events.

Andretti is a major name in American open-wheel racing, associated with the Andretti Autosport organization. The Andretti brand is known for running multiple IndyCar entries and developing drivers across racing series.

This refers to Robert Wickens competing in the Indianapolis 500 (the Indy 500). An “entry” is the official entry of a driver/team into the race, which typically involves a specific car and team setup for that event.

The Indy 500 is one of the most prestigious races in American open-wheel racing, held annually at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It’s a centerpiece event for IndyCar teams and drivers, often shaping careers and sponsorship decisions.

Dan Towers is referenced as a key person Wickens would discuss the Indy 500 idea with. In motorsport contexts like this, such a person is typically involved in team operations, management, or driver-related decisions.

MotoGP is the premier class of motorcycle road racing, featuring factory-backed teams and highly specialized bikes. The hosts mention it as a benchmark for excitement and “putting it all out there,” comparing it to other forms of motorsport.

Formula One (F1) is the highest level of open-wheel car racing, known for advanced aerodynamics, tire strategy, and engineering development. The hosts use it as a comparison point for how exciting MotoGP felt to them while in Europe.

The “Valentino Rossi era” refers to the period when Rossi dominated MotoGP and became the sport’s biggest star. The transcript contrasts that era with newer rivals, framing it as a shift in competitive dynamics.

“Four-wheel motorsport” is a broad way of referring to racing disciplines that use cars (as opposed to motorcycles), like NASCAR, IndyCar, or road racing. The speaker frames MotoGP as the “next level” of intensity relative to what they do in car racing.

This is a discussion prompt about who the current best driver is, regardless of championships. It’s framed as a comparison of driver quality and racecraft rather than just final standings.

“Maximized every single session” is about extracting the most performance from each part of a race weekend—practice, qualifying, and race. In motorsport, small setup and driving improvements compound across sessions, which can be as important as outright speed.

This describes “overperforming” a car—getting podium results even when the car’s baseline performance suggests it shouldn’t. In racing, that usually comes from superior driving, strategy, tire management, and extracting grip beyond what the car appears to offer.

The guest compares the Formula 1 situation to IndyCar, specifically referencing Alex Palos. This frames the conversation around dominance and consistency across different open-wheel series.

A “final pit stop sequence” is the last round of pit stops near the end of a race, where teams time tire changes, fuel strategy, and driver changes (if applicable) to maximize track position. In high-level racing, small timing or execution errors during these stops can swing the outcome.

“Leading the championship early on” means a driver is accumulating the most points in the season standings during the first stretch of races. Early points matter because they create pressure and can affect how teams approach strategy, risk, and car development.

This describes the common motorsport development ladder: drivers start in karting, then move into higher-speed junior categories and eventually cars. Karting is used to build core racecraft skills like steering precision, braking consistency, and reading traffic.