In Profile: Charlie Wurz

Jenzer Motorsport rookie Charlie Wurz wowed with his performance in Melbourne, driving a superb race to P5 in the Feature.

It’s about time we got to know him then, putting some serious questions to the Austrian, who goes into detail about his racing background, style and favourite venues on the 2024 calendar.

WHAT IS YOUR FIRST RACING MEMORY?

“My first racing memory… Basically, when I was eight-years-old, I was rental karting at Paul Ricard with my dad and my brothers, we were really enjoying it.

“It was the first time I really started karting and my friend who is now my rival in F3, Oliver Goethe, he was there as well, but driving in a race kart. I never knew that existed! I asked my dad ‘what is that?’ He explained that it was a race kart and I just said ‘wow, that looks fun.’

“I pleaded with him for weeks on end if I could drive one, finally, after a lot of convincing, I managed to get a kart for myself and I did a lot of driving and enjoyed it so much. That’s where I really started, it’s because of Ollie really, seeing him driving that kart. That was my first memory and where my career really started.”

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR RACING STYLE?

“I would say I like to be an intelligent driver. In the races, I think through the moves and everything – what to do, especially in races where you have to use your head, like at Monza for example. You can play slipstream games, I like to play those games.

“You see drivers, start to understand the trends and how they like to race and then understand those drivers and where they’re most likely to make mistakes. That’s how I like to race. I really enjoy that side of it, understanding where a rival could be a bit weak and then putting them under pressure.”

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WHO IS YOUR RACING HERO?

“That’s a good question. I don’t exactly have a racing hero, but I obviously have to say my dad because he’s my dad! I’ve always looked up to him, but otherwise, I look up to drivers like Senna, Schumacher, Hamilton, Verstappen now, they’re all up there in individual strengths and I look up to them and aspire to be like them one day.”

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST RACING ACHIEVEMENT SO FAR?

“I’d say winning in my rookie F4 championship campaign in UAE F4 in 2022, that was really good. It was my first season in Formula 4 and I won the title off the bat. Also last year, I won the Formula Regional Oceania Championship and that was really cool because the day before the final race I lost the championship lead after I’d been leading for almost the entire way but then we fought back and won. That was probably the best day I’ve had in racing.

“I basically lost the Championship before and then on the Sunday, I got pole, did a really good reverse grid race and that was the one where I won the Championship, so that was the best racing day I had. It definitely made it sweeter. That was the best moment of my career so far.”

WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT BEING A RACING DRIVER?

“It’s just the feeling. There are so many things about racing that’s enjoyable. I’ve had people ask this a lot of times, but I think it’s just the adrenaline rush, this feeling you don’t get elsewhere, I enjoy it so much. It’s quite difficult to describe really but I’ve been surrounded by it for so long, that when I go into the winter break without driving, I miss it and get so bored. I enjoy driving and the adrenaline rush.”

WHAT WE LEARNED: The Main Takeaways from Round 2 of the season in Melbourne

HOW DO YOU RELAX AWAY FROM RACING?

“I don’t! You can always do sim racing which helps. I do a lot of training which helps for upcoming races, I enjoy doing that. That helps me keep my mind off of racing sometimes. I also do a lot of sim racing sometimes, I also have a bit of school work to do, not as fun but it has to be done. All of that really. That’s just what you have to do.”

DO YOU HAVE ANY SECRET TALENTS OUTSIDE OF RACING?

“Not really. I do enjoy running and cycling. I used to be pretty good at running, used to run for the Monaco athletics team before I started racing. I was good but you have to be so, so good to do running because anyone can do it, all you need is the shoes. I wasn’t that good though, but I’m quite good in cardio and athletic sports, but no crazy talents.”

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE TRACK ON THE FORMULA 3 CALENDAR?

“That’s a good question. I’d say Monza to be honest. I think it’s a track where, because you run such little downforce, it becomes really tricky. You really have to dance on the edge of disaster. The car is always snapping and on the limit, that’s really fun. I haven’t driven Monaco yet but I imagine that one will be really fun.”