something of a retreat to get away from the pressure [of karting],” he noted, “Towards the end of the season, we cut off all the single-seater testing to focus on the championship, but we always felt that our time in karting had finished, that it was time to move on to bigger and better things and try to become a professional racing driver.
Despite stepping up for his first season in cars, Parry could not avoid a certain weight of expectation, not least because national racing magazine Motorsport News ranked him number one on its annual Fast 50 list of rising talents. Clearly aware of the learning curve he faced, the youngster was nevertheless grateful to have had his ability recognised.
“Topping the Fast 50 poll gave me a similar feeling to when I went into S1, and it’s definitely a confidence boost, rather than any extra pressure,” he claimed, “Despite that, the aim was still to get podiums and show realistic potential for winning the Formula Ford championship in 2012.”
If the Motorsport News accolade was not enough, however, Parry was also included as the only Briton on the driver development programme run by ambitious F1 operation Team Lotus and sponsor AirAsia. The long-term deal provides both stability and opportunity, allowing him to benefit from the experience within the F1 team and its sister GP2 operation, while being guided through the formative years of his single-seater career.
“The chance to link up with Team Lotus is fantastic,” Parry admitted, “It is not the sort of opportunity that comes along every day, and I am very fortunate that Team Lotus and AirAsia have decided that I am worth backing. I am looking forward to making full use of the experience and facilities on offer to me as I continue to make the transition from karts to cars.”
Although the involvement is scheduled to run over a number of years, the pressure to succeed and improve will be ever- present if Parry is to progress up the single-seater ladder with the programme. Likewise, his subsequent inclusion on Sport Wales’ Elite Cymru scheme
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requires the 17-year old to meet minimum agreed performance standard and continue to progress his career in a positive manner, but Parry remains confident that he can justify his position.
“It’s great news that Sport Wales has recognised my potential and decided to back me in my efforts to climb the motorsport ladder,” he commented, “Obviously, it has helped being among the few Welsh drivers making the headlines, but I am honoured to have been included on the Elite Cymru scheme along with some of the biggest names in Welsh sport. The support will make a big difference to my career, and I will do everything I can to justify Sport Wales’ faith in me.”
Education has also not been forsaken in his quest to make it to the top and, in addition to attending the local college, the youngster, who would admit that he is not a natural scholar, also makes monthly trips to the renowned sporting centre at Loughborough where, having been selected for the Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence, he will learn about nutrition, personal training, working with the media and other aspects that bring an F1 driver to the track.
For now, however, being ‘an F1 driver’ is still a long way off, although Parry can draw a modicum of encouragement from his maiden single-seater campaign, which took in both the UK and Eurocup Formula Ford competitions.
Despite not quite achieving his stated pre-season aim of standing on the podium, he finished fourth on three separate occasions and fifth on four more, despite the Fluid Motorsport Developments Van Diemen which he was obliged to run by the AirAsia Team Lotus scheme being massively out-numbered by the superior Mygale chassis and Parry himself having the least experience of the frontrunners. While a top five championship finish also eluded him, the Welshman ended the year as the best rookie in the series and will be able to build on a sometimes trying season in whatever category he contests in 2012.
“The 2011 campaign was always going to be a massive learning curve, and it was tough being the only Van Diemen driver in the field for most of the year, as we were ploughing a lone furrow in terms of developing the car,” Parry lamented, “That meant that we didn’t always get the best out of it in qualifying and that, in turn, made our task in the races that much tougher.
“Of course, there were a handful of rookie mistakes too, notably at Snetterton when a podium finish may have been possible, but there were also enough bright spots to suggest that, with a year of experience under my belt, I can hope for better next season. “
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