"... the next logical step"

The first Red Bull Air Race 2008 was won by Paul Bonhomme. But causing the biggest surprise in Abu Dhabi was Hannes Arch’s second place. In an interview the Austrian discloses what gave him more speed – and what else he thinks he’s capable of this season.

What was the first thing that went through your head this morning?

That keeping all the appointments I’d planned for today was going to be impossible. At least the weather is getting better now, which means I can get to my next date with the helicopter and save myself two hours of driving.

What percentage of the day revolves around the Red Bull Air Race?

A hundred. It is my job after all.

And how often do you think of Abu Dhabi?

Only when reporters ask me about it. Because I prefer to look forward rather than back.

Let’s stay in the present for now. What’s the difference between the Hannes Arch, who missed out in qualifying in Abu Dhabi last year – and the one of today?

With regards to the person, hopefully nothing. My character, the way I look at life, my circle of friends – all that’s the same. But as a sportsperson I’ve taken the next logical step.

How did that happen?

Firstly, I took a year to learn and develop. If you don’t just look at the end results but also the training times you’ll see how much I improved during the last season. Secondly, in winter I got myself a new plane, which was developed exactly for the requirements of the Red Bull Air Race. Thirdly, my new team keeps all the organizational and technical problems away from me so that I only need to concentrate on flying. And last but not least I also worked really hard on myself – physically as well as mentally.

Last year Mike Mangold has been something of a mentor to you. How much did it irk him to be beaten by you of all people?

In the beginning, definitely a bit. But Mike is a real pro, a good sportsman and fair. We also flew back to the US together.

How much does your success say about the balance of power in 2008?

As I said, I’ve made the next step. I’m counting on being able to compete in the midfield this year. But of course, I’d welcome other surprises such as the one in Abu Dhabi.

At training Paul Bonhomme was already in a class of his own – and everyone is puzzling over why his machine is so fast. Your speculation?

Bonhomme is so fast because he’s simply the best pilot. Naturally he’s also got top material: He and Mangold have the best planes, then there’s mine and Steve Jones’. Admittedly Nigel Lamb and Alex Maclean will also be getting new machines soon.

Mike Mangold thinks that Bonhomme’s plane is fitting for fast courses because of its aerodynamics, but in San Diego it will give him a disadvantage.

I don’t think so. Bonhomme has a good team, which will also deliver him a perfect plane in San Diego.

In Abu Dhabi you talked with the head of Toro Rosso, Gerhard Berger. Small talk amongst compatriots? Or do Formula 1 and Red Bull Air Race have enough in common to be able to share experiences?

Gerhard might be from a totally different kind of motor sports, but he can immediately judge how aggressively a pilot flies or which line would have been right. ‘You flew well,’ he said to me. ‘But in the finals you lost your nerve.’ That may have been an over exaggeration, but he’s basically right. I wasn’t cool enough to win there as well.

Before the begging of the season you lost 15 kilos to increase your speed. Does that mean that if you diet for another two weeks you’ll win in San Diego?

No, the diet is over now. But I notice how much good it did me. I’m not only a lot fitter but I also made the machine go faster. You just have to calculate the 15 kilos and our G-force and you can imagine how much faster the machine can accelerate.