Strengths Come on Their Own

In January 2003, the Austrian Andreas Aigner responded to a newspaper advertisement for the Red Bull Rally Driver Search programme – in January 2006, he sat in the cockpit for the Austrian Red Bull-Skoda team BRR (Baumschlager Rallye Racing) at the start of the World Rally Championship (WRC). In between, Aigner asserted himself against 366 other applicants, appeared in 16 rally races and began a career that is presently without comparison in the rally world. In this interview, the 21-year-old talks about simple goals, surprise calls and hidden indications of his talent.

You raced in Monte Carlo for the first time in the Rally WC. How did that feel?
Large. Everything seemed so large: the start area, the service stations, and I’ve never started at a race with such a large public audience. I drove out under the cheers of the spectators as the second car – that was definitely a new experience.

In the end, you crossed the finish in thirteenth place. A result with which you can be happy?
Certainly. The rally ran surprisingly smoothly, we were really well prepared. Actually, I expected to be much further back, but Timo [Gottschalk, co-driver] and I drove a fantastic race. This finish is a dream result.

You said before the WC start that everything was like a dream. Have you gotten used to the idea that you’re a regular WC starter?
Gradually, I am, but I haven’t completely gotten used to the idea yet. I just haven’t had the time to process it all, because everything’s happening so fast. In that sense, it still feels like a dream.

How did you receive the news that you were going to start for the Red Bull-Skoda team?
That was last November, and I was playing indoor tennis when Raimund [team director Raimund Baumschlager] suddenly called. Immediately afterwards I had to sit down… and then we went out and celebrated.

What happened next – did you get a kind of Rally WC crash course?
No. At first I continued on with my usual training, which is for strength and conditioning. The first weekend in December, I went to the Czech Republic where I sat in the car for the first time. From then on the testing began. Of course, sometimes I had the feeling I was running out of time, but on the other hand, the team was so friendly and everything was so exciting that I just didn’t have any time to get nervous.

When did you meet your team colleagues, Gilles Panizzi and Mattias Ekström, for the first time?
I’d already met Mattias last year at the Essen Motor Show, and I’ve known him since then. And I only got to know Gilles in January at our first press conference. I was really nervous… But he and his brother Hervé were super nice and started chatting with me right away. That broke the ice. Gilles is a great guy. I can learn a lot from him. Which is actually what I’m already doing.

You’re considered an exceptional talent. In your opinion, what are your strengths?
Something that’s definitely helped me out is that I can quickly adjust to new and changing circumstances. I can’t think of any others now… but I think strengths come with time and on their own. At least I hope so!

When did you first discover your motorsport ambitions?
I don’t really know anymore. Like almost everyone, I used to watch Formula 1 on TV with my parents and sometimes rallies, but I never raced karts or anything like that. The one thing I did do, though, was when it had snowed and was dark out, and no one else wanted to drive anymore, my cousin and I would always go cruising.

Is it possible that you inherited your talent?
Definitely not from my parents, because my cruising expeditions never really made them happy. And as far as I know, no one in our family tree ever raced.