Bianca, you are a talented female driver. Unfortunately, a lot of our visitors will not know who you are. Could you please give a short introduction about yourself to the visitors that do not know you?
My name is Bianca Steiner, I am 18 years old and I´m from Austria. I drive in the Italian Formula Renault 2.0 Series for Steiner Motorsport.
How did you get involved in racing? Have you always wanted to become a racedriver yourself? Did your parents always support you?
I started with karting when I was 12 years ld, next to it I tested the first time with a Formula BMW. I always wanted to become a racedriver. I was impressed when I saw the old videos of the races of Ayrton Senna! I was just 4 when he had the crash. My parents always supported me and I grew up with fast cars, because of my dad.
You have started your career, like many other drivers, in karting. Did you enjoy your period in karting and do you think karting will be an essential step in the career of a racedriver?
The difference is that I just drove karting for fun during some races. I never drove any championship, I started with formula cars. In contrast to the other drivers, which came from karting championships; I had it a little bit harder, because they knew how to fight really hard. But i learned it!
You have raced in different formula cars throughout the years. The last couple of years you have especially driven Formula Renault 2.0 in Italy. What are the main differences between all the cars you have driven throughout your career? Which car, do you think, is the most exciting to drive?
For me it´s always special to sit in a race car and try to bring out the best. Of course, the Formula 3000 was really nice to drive and about 500 HP; it is amazing.
In 2009 you are driving the Italian Formula Renault 2.0 Championship again. What are your expectations about this season?
The start of the season (at Monza) was good for me with a 4th place in the first race and unfortunately I ad a crash in the second race. But for me it is important to make the best of the situation, because it is not easy with a private team. I want to have good results to get sponsors and to get in a higher class.
Do you have a special goal in your career, which need to be achieved?
Of course, like every driver, I dream from F1. But at the moment, my first goal is to drive good in Italian Formula Renault Championship and then we’ll see if one time I can live my dream.
Every race driver has good and bad moments during his career. What is your best moment in racing, until now? What is the moment you would like to forget as soon as possible?
My best moment was my first win with Formula Renault 2.0 at Hungaroring. It was the most emotional moment in my career. I had a triple flip at Monza when I just started my career and I had many bad moments, but from this moments I learned a lot. I do not want to forget it.
If you could change your life with another racedriver for just one day, who will be the one you are changing with?
I would Ccange with any Formula 1 driver, but just at the Sunday of a racing weekend.
Is it hard to keep standing as a female driver in a world which is mainly filled by male drivers? What reactions do you get from other drivers, supporters, teams etc.?
This world is hard for everybody. For me it was hard when I staredt driving. The drivers laughed about me at my first race in 2004, but just till the first qualifying. Then I was 0,2 behind the first one, on the second position. Every driver has to work for the respect of the other drivers, supporters and teams; the same for me.
Many people think that the life of a racedriver is all fun and just a dream. But if you take a look to the ‘inside’ of racing, what is the hardest part of being a racedriver?
It’s hard work, but of course when you love this work it is also funny. The daily fitness training is not my favourite thing; it is really hard.
What would you like to say to everyone that is dreaming of a career in racing?
I had many bad moments in racing which threw me back. But if you really have the dream, live it and never give up!
Originally published: 4th of June, 2009
