In owner and team manager Alex Fach’s team, everything revolves around perfect interaction: technology, people, knowledge, and talent – optimally synchronised. It’s their recipe for success, demonstrated impressively in 2014.
It was the first time an ambitious New Zealander got behind the wheel of the FACH AUTO TECH 911 GT3 Cup. He began his first full Porsche Supercup season as a Rookie and Porsche Junior. By the end of the season, he was not only the Overall Supercup Champion, but also a freshly minted Porsche factory driver. His name: Earl Bamber.
With the supremely talented Earl at the wheel, Fach was able to play to all his strengths: A close, intensive team-driver collaboration, with only one goal: absolute perfection. In addition to dealing productively with feedback, the team also prioritises the way they communicate as well as their social behaviour. These soft skills are crucial for a long driving career at the top. But the sensational 2014 season was not a one-hit wonder for Bamber. It was a decisive step in his professional career.
Alex Fach feels that overseeing development like this is a confirmation of his role as an enabler of success. This is shown in the team's philosophy of promoting young, international drivers. In recent years, it has catapulted some young talents from Fach cars directly into factory drivers seats – or elevated them from junior driver to pro racer. In addition to Bamber, other names including Matteo Cairoli, Matt Campbell, and Nick Yelloly have all received the Swiss stamp of approval.
One more time, Christopher.
A Swiss racing team faces its own specific challenges, especially in times of travel restrictions – for example, when it comes to getting track time. That's because Alexander Fach's team doesn't have a home training facility: in Switzerland, it is against the law to build racing circuits. This means that the new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup they will use in the Supercup and other Porsche one-make cups has to be tested on circuits abroad. Fortunately, Monza and Dijon are both not far away.
With #6 Christopher Zöchling (AUT) and #7 Marius Nakken (NOR), there are familiar faces in the FACH AUTO TECH race cars this season. Zöchling got off to a late start in 2015, and was two races behind in the Porsche Supercup but went on to finish in a remarkable 6th place for Fach. We’re curious to see where he stands at the end of a full season in 2021.
What can we look forward to next season?
The pandemic has taken an economic toll on the Swiss racing team, as it has on many others. Nevertheless, Alex Fach is optimistic. Two of his three race cars in the Supercup have assigned drivers, and the team boss will give the third wheel to guest drivers. At the official season test of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup in Monza, we talked to Alex Fach about the challenges and his goals for 2021.
Hello Alex.
Your team has undergone some changes and is very international. What do you expect from this new line-up?
We’ve worked with both our new drivers before. Christopher Zöchling was on our team for the 2015 season. And we know Marius Nakken really well since he was in our partner team in 2018. So they’re new, but familiar.
Christopher Zöchling had a great 2015 season in the Supercup with your team. Will he build on these results this year?
I certainly hope so! He won the first race on his home track with us and was on the podium twice more in 2015. We’re looking forward to seeing him standing on some podiums again this year.
You love to work with young drivers. What talents does a young driver need to become a champion?
Raw talent behind the wheel and a willingness to work as a team are the most important things for up-and-coming drivers. But they have to work really hard outside of the car as well, to become successful. Not only on data analysis, but attracting sponsors, for instance, is very important for every driver.
The Swiss are known as high-precision engineers. What do you think of the new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup this season?
The new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup is just amazing and it looks really good! Compared to the previous model, it’s quite different and we’re looking forward to getting the very best out of the car and bringing its full potential to the track.
What do you think of Porsche’s plans to promote sustainability in their one-make cups?
Me and my team are very happy that Porsche is testing renewable fuels in their one-make cups. I personally think that this is a big step into the future for the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, and for motorsport in general.
Alex, thank you so much for the chat.
