Although born in Australia (Tasmania), Marcos Ambrose spent the beginning of his career in England, in Formula Ford and British GT.  He then returned down under where he ran inV8 Supercars from 2001 to 2005 taking two championships with him. Since then, he’s found success across the pond in NASCAR. Marcos is discovering the Dubai track for the first time, and he’s a happy camper.  “I’m a first-timer here and it’s actually my first time in the Middle East.  I’m happy to be teaming up with Michael (Waltrip) and Robert (Kaufmann).  It’s a new experience for us.  Practice and qualifying went pretty well, even if we didn’t take the slightest chances.” (laughs)

The AF Corse Ferrari F430 has nothing to do with the Toyota Camry you’re used to:  “The car is good and I feel good behind the wheel.  In NASCAR, all the drivers are pretty much at the same level, which is not the case here at all.  We’ll have to adapt, but we’re ready to meet this new challenge which looks like it will be exciting.  For us it will be fun, fun, fun!” (laughs)

Will we see him back in endurance racing?
“Ah, for sure I’d like to run in more races like this.  But my priority lies with NASCAR and seeing as there are so many races this year, it won’t be easy to find free time.”

An appearance at the 24 Hours of Le Mans is nonetheless not to be excluded in the future.
“Racing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans is a goal for me.  I don’t know when it will happen, but I think about it more and more.  If I have the opportunity, it will be at the wheel of a prototype.  I’d also like to run in the 24 Hours of Spa and Nürburgring.” 

After Dubai, the future looks busy for Marcos Ambrose.

Rainier Ehrhardt (with Laurent Mercier)