The inside story of Alex Yoong's racing career

The third generation RS 4 Avant is a modern classic from Audi. Back with an attitude, the stationwagon combines potent performance with a high level of everyday practicality, thanks to its 4.2-litre V8 powerplant and body style.

Sharing the front seat with us during our short stint with the car was race driver Alex Yoong. Best known for his Formula 1 races in 2001 and 2002, the Malaysian race driver has had a fascinating racing career, with experience in racing various types of cars including the F Nippon, Champ Car, 24 Hours of Le Mans in the LMP1 class, Australia V8's and A1GP. He was especially successful in the latter, taking five wins for Team Malaysia in the A1GP in 2005/2006. Of course, it doesn't just end there. Alex also races in the Audi R8 LMS Cup with Team GQ, where he came in third in the 2012 series.

Although based in Malaysia, Alex made a trip down to Singapore and there wasn't a better time to catch up with the man himself.

SGCM: Having took part in a variety of race platforms - from open wheelers such as F3 and F1 to endurance racing such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans - how different were these races for you and which race have you not done?

AY: Well, I have done a lot of racing, in fact in every continent except Antarctica, of course. They are all very different. The only big race I haven't done is the Indy 500. I've done Indy in a Formula One car but it's not the same as the Indy 500. I've done Le Mans and 24 Hours Nurburgring and even Bathurst in Australia.

SGCM: Okay but was there a reason for the switch between these platforms?

AY: In Australia, I always wanted to do Bathurst. So I head up to do some racing but I only did it for a year. I mean I watched Bathurst as a kid and it was very special to me. Nurburgring 24 Hours never really was on my radar, until I did it last year. And I was really glad I did it. I mean growing up in Asia, it's not one of those races you get easily. But Nurburgring is definitely one of the favourite for me now. Other than Formula One, I think Nurburgring is the most fun in a race car.
SGCM: Now, speaking of Nurburgring and all that stuff, how was the transition between these races like? I'm sure going for a 24 Hour race in Nurburgring is definitely very different from the other races you’ve done before.

AY: I'm glad I did Nurburgring late in my career because I think if I did it early in my career, I would have accidents or try too hard. So going in with some experience and building up to it and knowing that the lap time will come definitely helped me in doing a good job. I mean, the difficult thing about Nurburgring is that it's 25km long with over a hundred turns. It's just impossible to learn. I'm still trying to learn even after I've tried it. I guess so long as I end the race I'll be pretty comfortable because it takes a really long time to complete it.

SGCM: What about the transition between open wheelers and Le Mans?

AY: Once you put a roof on the car, you always compromise it. You can't drive it like a single-seater and deal with the downforce. It's always about getting the most out of the compromise. Now in a GT3, I do think Audi has got the best compromise worked out. That's why you always see them add weight to the car and trying to slow it down so that the GT3 becomes a balance formula. As a result it's not pure formula racing.

It almost gives other cars a chance. And I like the way Audi does it. They trade off the downforce of the car and slow it down in straight lines because they handicapped it so much. But handling wise, it always beats everything out there and I think that's exactly why Audi won the race last year.

SGCM: So of all the races that you've done, over a span of some 21 years, which is your favourite?

AY: Monaco in a Formula One car is up there. Monaco as a street circuit is pretty boring but in a Formula One car, it's insane. Suzuka in a Formula One car is very special too. Spa (Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps) is also quite special but it doesn't scare you like other circuits. It's very safe now.

Nurburgring last year was also a chart-topper. I'm glad I did it and definitely happier I'm going to do it again this year. It's probably the one race out there that I'll do for fun and not for money.

SGCM: So the next race will be the first week of May?

AY: Yes, first week of May will be the first round of LMS and Nurburgring will be the third week.

SGCM: All the best for the races then and thanks for your time, Alex.