“Derek is why I am world champion”

Andy Priaulx recently paid a big tribute to former F1-driver Dereck Warwick. Priaulx visited Silverstone last weekend where he watched Warwick compete in the GP Masters. The regining World Champion feels that he has much to thank Warwick for.

“Derek Warwick is the reason I am world touring car champion now, to be honest,’ said Priaulx to This is Guernsey. “He gave me my break initially with Vauxhall, which was a one-off drive, and from then on I was on everyone’s shopping list for touring cars. So I pretty much owe him everything. He is the reason I am in touring cars.”

This was not the only occation that Warwick helped Priaulx. “In the early days, when you are struggling for money and everything and you just want to talk to somebody, Derek was always around to offer his opinion and advice,” Priaulx continued.

“Sometimes he probably thought I was a little too optimistic and I was, but you can only learn from your mistakes. That is why I am here this weekend. I knew I had the weekend off from racing, so I thought I would jump on the boat with my family and come and watch Derek race.”

Priaulx enjoyed his visit at the GP Masters race and felt that the series is a good concept. “I think it is a great concept. The drivers are real personalities. They are racing drivers as well as sports personalities, whereas nowadays you’ve got more stereotyped racing drivers who are very corporate and very structured.”