Robert Wickens
Attention corporate Canada: Robert Wickens did his part by clinching the 2011 World Series by Renault championship in Barcelona on Sunday. Now, it's time for those in this country's boardrooms to step up to ensure he becomes this country's next Formula One star.
After spending the past three years in Europe beating the best racing has to offer, there's no doubt Wickens, 22, possesses bucketfuls of talent needed to find success in the pinnacle of motorsport.
To get there, he'll need Canadian companies to start paying attention and, more importantly, throw financial support behind this country's home grown star if he's going to take the final step up the ladder.
"F1 has always been the goal in my whole career and now I am the closest I have ever been. Definitely, I will switch now to trying to secure a seat for next year," said Wickens, the first North American to win a major modern European F1 feeder series.
"At the end of the day, if I could get corporate Canada's support it would be a dream come true. Life would be a lot easier if Canadians recognized motorsport a bit more but I am proud to be a Canadian and we will see what happens."
The World Series title is his best achievement so far, and more than proves — again — what many inside racing have known for years: Wickens is this country's best shot at having a Canadian on the F1 grid. Double world champion Sebastian Vettel of the Red Bull team, Lotus Renault's Robert Kubica, and Lotus driver Heikki Kovalainen raced in the series before moving to F1.
He had have little time to savour his triumph, as Wickens left Tuesday for Korea where he will rejoin the Marussia Virgin F1 team and continue with his reserve driver duties.
While he signed a deal to be a reserve driver with Marussia in June, it is not his only option for 2012. Wickens has already had conversations with several F1 outfits about next season, but would not say which teams are in the frame. It is thought he needs several million dollars in backing to secure a spot, something he hopes his new title will help attract.
"I think being the World Series champion means a lot," said Wickens.
"I don't know what it's going to do for my life and my career — for all I know it could change absolutely nothing and I will be stuck searching for money and trying to find a last minute ride somewhere. On the other hand, my life could change tomorrow."
Unfortunately, Canadian companies haven't exactly had Wickens' phone ringing off the hook. It's the same story that seems to repeat itself in this country when it comes to rising Canadian stars in motor racing. Make no mistake, Wickens would have companies lining up around the corner to be associated with his name if he were a hockey player or golfer.
Instead, Wickens' career continues to be a triumph against the odds and it's almost a miracle he's made it this far without any major support from his fellow Canadians. But if there ever were a time for corporate Canada to pry open its chequebook, this is it.
Simply put, the Guelph, Ont., driver deserves some long overdue recognition and sponsorship as a reward for his dogged determination and relentless courage as he pursued his F1 dreams alone. Even if they don't appreciate Wickens' talent on track or the sport he pursues, those in this country's boardrooms should identify with the entrepreneurial spirit that has driven his career.
From a family of modest means, the Wickens clan scrimped and saved as their son headed for the top. His on track exploits quickly earned Wickens a Red Bull Junior Team spot in 2006 and he delivered a Formula BMW USA championship.
The next year he was the top rookie in the now defunct Atlantic Series before a move to Europe to go up against the best the world had to offer. Many don't realize that the energy drink maker's support didn't relieve the financial pressure on Wickens or his family. Although Red Bull paid for his racing in Europe, Wickens still had to cover all non-racing expenses to compete. So, he coached young drivers in his almost non-existent spare time to make ends meet.
The Canadian was unceremoniously dumped by the energy drink company at the end of 2009, despite the fact that he finished ahead of all the other Red Bull Junior drivers in the Formula Two Series where he raced that year. Initially, Wickens thought his racing career was over, but like all tough entrepreneurs he saw it as an opportunity and found a way to keep it going.
He was picked up by Status Grand Prix, a team moving into the newly minted GP3 Series and he excelled again. With Status taking care of the business side of the equation, Wickens led the team with three wins and seven podiums on his way to second overall in the championship. That led to a spot in Russia supercar maker Marussia's new driver development program and, ultimately, the World Series title.
Wickens triumphed on the weekend after a season-long battle with his Carlin teammate Jean-Éric Vergne, who is a Red Bull backed prospect. While Wickens said he feels no bitterness toward Red Bull, he admitted that beating one of its junior drivers to the World Series crown did bring some added satisfaction.
"It was one of those things where I always had a little bit of extra motivation," he said.
"It wasn't about proving people wrong — there are reasons why everything happens — but it feels good to beat other Red Bull drivers and this definitely felt good."
In the end, the Canadian won the championship on the strength of five wins, seven poles, and 10 podiums in 17 races. The title gives Wickens at least half a day in the Lotus Renault car at the annual F1 rookie test, which happens in Abu Dhabi following the final grand prix of 2011 in November. He hopes to complete the test with another team.
"It's going to be awesome. I just hope I can make the best of it and do a really good job," he said.
"I don't really know where it's going to take me, but this was the most important year in my career so far. Right now, I am just going to continue with my reserve driver role with Marussia Virgin and see what happens."
Jeff Pappone