Charlie Robertson came out on top from a fantastic three-way championship battle to become the 2012 Ginetta Junior Champion, capping off a sensational two-year spell in the series. The Checkered Flag spoke with Robertson shortly after the final race of the season to discuss his title-winning campaign.
Robertson headed into the season as one of the favourites for the title and proved to be the driver to beat all campaign. The 15 year old finished the season with a total of thirteen podiums to his name, with six of those being race victories.
Robertson, running with HHC Motorsport, also collected an incredible twelve pole positions and seven fastest laps during the year, ensuring he ended up as champion by 26 points.
“It still hasn’t quite sunk in yet. It’s been a really hard year and to finally get the good result at the end of it has been fantastic and everyone’s done such a good job. My mum and dad, HHC Motorsport and my sponsors Investigo have all worked really hard to get me here and to finally succeed in what I set out to do this season feels brilliant.”
The championship battle proved to be incredibly close affair throughout the season, with Charlie up against fellow second year drivers Sennan Fielding and Niall Murray throughout, with Robertson coming to the fore during the second half of the season.
Despite a DNF during the penultimate meeting at Silverstone, Robertson still headed to the final round of the season around the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit with a healthy 25 point advantage over Fielding, with Murray a further 15 points behind.
With this advantage, Robertson knew that if he finished ahead of Fielding in the opener the title would be his, and a hard-fought drive to fourth place, with Fielding sixth, secured him the title, before he followed it up with a great run to second in race two.
“I knew it wouldn’t be easy heading into this weekend, but I’ve always liked Brands GP, it’s one of my favourite circuits, so I came in this weekend knowing I’m strong here. I knew that I just needed to beat Sennan [Fielding] to win it, so I gave it my all and kept him behind me for most the first race and held on to take the championship.”
Charlie Robertson Celebrates His Championship Win – Photo Credit: Jakob Ebrey Photography
Robertson’s tally of six wins means he ends the season as the driver with the most race victories to his name, a fact that really pleases the Surrey-based racer.
“It’s what I wanted to do, end as champion with the most wins. To get six wins by the end of the season, twice as many as I got last year, is a fantastic result and I’m pleased to have got the most out of everybody on the grid.”
The championship success brings to an end a near-perfect two year spell in the Ginetta Junior Championship for the Investigo-backed driver, with the title-winning campaign coming after he finished runner-up in his rookie season in 2011.
“I don’t think I could have asked for anything more. I came in last year wanting to finish in the top five, top ten even. When I came out with second in the championship I realised I was in with a real chance this year of winning it, so that was mine and the teams target and we’ve delivered. It’s been a fantastic two years.”
Now the championship has been won, Robertson is turning his attention towards 2013 and his move into single-seater racing. The Scotsman has signed up to compete in the BRDC Formula 4 Championship with HHC Motorsport and is excited to get started.
“I just want to get out in it now and going to be a long wait now until January when we can do some testing. There are 24 cars on the grid so it’s going to be a great season with HHC again and my sponsors Investigo. I just want to get out there and prove what I can do and have another good season next year.”
