30 September 2014
Andrea Pizzitola: “Renault Sport make you feel valued”
Backed by Renault Sport all the way through his young career, Andrea Pizzitola now finds himself in the top three of the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 standings, and is primed to take the next step up in Renault’s driver development series in 2015. Taking stock of his career to date, the Manor MP Motorsport driver broke off from his preparations at the French leg of the World Series by Renault to speak to us.
How do you prepare for meetings?
“I do some basic physical training. I go running for a cardio and leg workout, and then I do push-ups, sit-ups and core muscle exercises for the upper body. It all allows me to prepare for races and to build my core fitness for the future.”
Do you follow a specific diet?
“I’m very picky to be honest. I don’t like sauces, for example, which is a good thing. I don’t really change my eating habits much before races. I might choose something a little more healthily or eat a little less before qualifying sessions, but I don’t really change what I eat.”
How do you get on with the other World Series by Renault drivers?
“I met Pierre Gasly and Matthieu Vaxiviere in Formula 4 and we’ve stuck together ever since. I’m the oldest one in the group, so they’re like little brothers to me. We have a very close relationship, which you don’t often get in the paddock. When we were fighting for the title in F4, people were surprised to see the three of us wandering around the paddock together. We became firm friends there and we still have a lot of respect for each other. I see more of them than I do my girlfriend. We’re also big mates with Oliver Rowland. He’s a great guy and we’ve been on holiday with him. Whenever we’ve got ten minutes spare at World Series by Renault meetings we always meet up in the paddock.”
Renault Sport’s driver development series have played a very big part in your career. What do they give you that other championships don’t?
“I started in the Clio, before switching to F4 and then the World Series by Renault, so I’ve always competed in Renault Sport’s driver development series. I feel very much at home in them. The championships are very well organised and the people are very supportive. I’ve really felt their backing over the years and I feel valued. Whenever I’m at home, all I want to do is get back to a meeting.”
What are your plans for 2015?
“I hope to keep making my way up through the Renault driver development programme and drive in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series in 2015. I’ve always dreamed about competing in it. Now that I’m battling for a top-three finish in Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 this year, the doors have opened for me and I’ve had discussions about next year. And I’m going to do all I can to finish as high as possible in the standings.”