Exclusive: Interview with Blake Belladonna

As Lynx Motorsport prepares for its debut season in the 2016 European Racing Series, questions continue to surround the newest team on the grid. With a fresh driver lineup, major financial backing, and expectations tempered by the realities of a first-year campaign, Team Principal Blake Belladonna sat down with The Evening Herald’s Arnold Boycott to discuss the team’s ambitions, their drivers, and the challenges ahead.

Arnold Boycott: Well, you’ve certainly picked a tough task for your first job. Are you expecting to pick up many points at all this season?

Blake Belladonna: It’ll be a struggle, there’s no denying it. We’re a new team coming into an established championship against organizations that have had years to build their foundations. Winning a few points would be wonderful, and it would make such a difference to our budget and overall momentum. We’re realistic about where we are, but at the same time, we’re not here just to make up the numbers, we want to compete.

Arnold Boycott: André Gomes is seen by the fans as your top driver. Do you agree with that, or would you say that Faith Anthony is better?

Blake Belladonna: I’m lucky enough to have inherited two great drivers, and I can’t wait to see them race. André brings a very aggressive, confident style that naturally catches attention, while Faith is incredibly composed and consistent under pressure. They’re very different personalities, but that balance is exactly what a young team needs. I’m not interested in naming a number one before a wheel has even turned.

Arnold Boycott: In the season preview, I wrote that you’re expected to finish 10th and last in the Teams’ Championship. Is that accurate, or do you think you can do any better?

Blake Belladonna: The prediction seems fair, and I think honesty is important in this sport. We’re not walking in expecting podiums every weekend. That said, I’m hoping that we’re going to surprise you. Motorsport is unpredictable, and if we execute well, stay disciplined, and take opportunities when they come, there’s no reason we can’t outperform expectations. I’d rather be underestimated than overhyped.

Arnold Boycott: Your financial skills aren’t in doubt, but some pundits are skeptical about whether or not you belong in the world of motorsport. What would you say to them?

Blake Belladonna: I understand their concerns, and I don’t take that criticism personally. Motorsport is a very different world, and respect has to be earned. But I have enough faith in my abilities, and managing finances is a big part of motorsport whether people like to admit it or not. Building a sustainable team matters just as much as building a fast car. My job is to make sure Lynx Motorsport is still here in ten years, not just impressive for ten minutes.