Alexandros Annivas: UAE Renault Clio Cup Champion
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Even though this year ultimately resulted in a Championship Alexandros, it’s not been the easiest of seasons for you has it?
“It was hard, especially in the second half of the season. Too many problems, and too many gremlins, especially electrical problems. And these were problems that were very difficult to find, isolate and fix. Round five or six, I think it was, at 11.30pm I had to go and buy one extra car in order to race the next day! And that brought more issues: it was new, it was out of setup, we didn’t have the time to bring it to my driving style. Then the next day, we had – let’s say – a difference of opinion with the stewards and I got excluded! That was a hectic period.
“Finally I just said, ‘I don’t want the podiums, I just want to finish’, and since I had no nerves and no pressure, I just came, drove, had fun, and it’s resulted in a Championship!”
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How do you feel those issues early on helped you develop as a driver?
“Through the first half of the season, I developed a lot. The second half, with all the problems, I started thinking it was down to my driving, and that I just wasn’t quick enough. Also during the second half of the season I didn’t get too much time off work, even though my employers – Gulf Petrochem – as my sponsors were very supportive. I don’t really know what it was. But next year I hope to have more time to practice, have less technical problems, and develop more and more as a driver.”
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You’ve had a lot of support this year from your team obviously, but your family has played a bit role too…
“Yes, very much. My father is also racing on and off in the series, and from the early karting days onwards, he was my mentor. He was my trainer. So I have a figure to look up to. It’s the first championship in the UAE that I’ve won, my father has won four or five, so I want to keep on racing and, who knows, one day race against each other again, like we used to do in the Suzuki Swift Championship. That was great fun!”
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How does it feel knowing you are the reigning Champion?
“It feels very nice! It’s always good to get one Championship under your belt, and it’s good that all your efforts throughout the season have been rewarded. That’s the biggest prize!” >>>
– Shots courtesy of Darren Rycroft
