My Sporting Inquisition – Fernando Rees
Photo: Adrenal Media - Fernando Rees
Find out the sporting nature of Aston Martin Racing’s Fernando Rees. The deep-thinking Brazilian loves his sport and shares with you his passions in both racing and in other disciplines.
What is the first sport you remember playing/competing in?
“In Brazil, when you are born one of the first things you get is a football! There’s not much choice in that really. So I remember playing football a lot and I suppose I was pretty good because I am small and I run fast. Then I started wearing glasses early in life and it was hard to continue at any high level. Then of course the racing came at eight years old and that became the number one passion for me.”
When did you first remember being at a race track and what event was it?
“Interlagos was an important place because there was a kart track right beside the race track. I used to watch when I was six or seven years old. When I was eight I noticed some kids my age that were racing so I started asking my parents ‘can I do that too.’ We found a way and I started to get involved. I was the first in my family to really get into it so we had to find ways to get a programme together and how I would start. But Interlagos was the first track I remember. I used to race against Lucas (Di Grassi) when I was nine or ten years of age and now here we are sharing the same track 22 years later!”
Photo: Adrenal Media. You can run but you can't hide from WEC TV!
If you could have become a professional in any other sport what would it be?
“I would like to have been a pro runner, maybe a marathon runner. I like everything about the sport but I probably don’t have the talent or the genes to be as competitive as I would like. I train a lot and I suppose I’m an above average runner. Outside the race car running is the only thing that gets me close to the feelings I got from starting a racing career. Being alone and in the flow is a special feeling. Getting focused on one thing and getting the rhythm going is very interesting to me and I think running is close to racing n those senses.”
Which sports stars outside of Motorsport do you most admire?
“I really admire Peter Sagan, the Czech cyclist, who has won stages on the Tour De France. He promotes himself well and seems like a nice guy who is good with the fans. He is very competitive and professional and can find that bit extra when it is needed. That is what I like about running and cycling. You can see when someone is really giving 100% and they can go the extra mile. He’s definitely one of those guys.
Which sporting venue other than a race circuit would you like to visit?
“I like cycling a lot and I follow it. I don’t actually cycle a lot myself but I would love to explore some of the Tour de France stages that would be great to see. I am actually planning to go to Mount Ventoux in the south of France. It has always been one of the great venues and can define who is the best and most courageous. It is a maximum effort and challenge for the riders. I like to see that in sport.”
Which racing trophy would you like to get your hands on?
“Le Mans for sure, an obvious answer I know, but a class win there would exceptional and it is my top priority. Last year we were in the lead for 13/14 hours and then you lose everything in one split second and you realise how hard that race is. I have great admiration for those drivers that have won it and personally I am very driven to conquer it.”
Which circuits that aren't on the FIA WEC calendar would you most like to drive the Aston Martin Vantage on?
“If we could go back to Interlagos, I would be very happy! I think it is an amazing track with a great atmosphere. But also I would like to race at Montreal which is kind of half street track/half road course and I think it would be a great race there. Paul (Dalla Lana) would be very happy with that too!”
If you could share the Aston Martin cockpit with two racing heroes from the past who would they be?
“A difficult question! I would have to say Ayrton (Senna) and Nelson (Piquet) that would be really interesting. I’m not sure Ayrton and Nelson would like it too much as they were very different personalities but it would be very interesting for me!”
Did you ever go to endurance races as a spectator, if so what memories do you have?
“I went to a few of the Mil Milhas races which are the thousand mile events at Interlagos. I think when the Le Mans Series went there for the first time. I was still racing in single-seaters but I found it very interesting to watch the endurance element for the first time.”
Fernando Rees was talking to Sam Smith
