Meeting with F1 ace accelerates ambition

AUSTRALIAN Formula One ace Mark Webber has thrown his weight behind Tasmania’s rising star Alex Peroni as the smiling assassin carves his career in Europe.

Peroni, 17, has three races remaining in the 2017 European Formula Renault championship before he attempts to step up next year into Formula 3.

The Hobart schoolboy is home on a rare break between races before heading back to Europe to race at Paul Ricard Circuit in France next weekend.

“Ideally I’ll be looking to step up next year,” Peroni said.

“The goal is always Formula One and to do that you need to step up through the categories.

“Stepping up to another category would be the ideal move next year.”

Before he heads to France, a fundraiser will be held at the Italian Club tomorrow night to help finance Peroni’s campaign.

After meeting his childhood hero Webber in England recently, Peroni has Mark Webber memorabilia to auction from the nine-time F1 race winner, including an autographed print featuring every car driven by Webber in Europe.

“To talk to someone like Mark Webber, who has achieved so much, was really great,” he said.

“He went into detail about how to drive on tracks I’ve never been to and I learned a lot. He was so down to earth. It was a good experience.”

The meeting gave Peroni a confidence boost heading into the final stages of the Renault season.

“He was very inspirational, and it’s very hard to keep that motivation, especially being away from home and family,” he said.

The smiling assassin is out to regain some form.

“I peaked in Pau [France] and Monaco, where I got the victory, and we slumped a bit before I came back home,” he said. “I want to regain that form I know I have — that’s the target.”

While his management works on a deal for next year, Peroni will stay focused on the now.

“I’m just concentrating on the three race meetings I’ve got left,” he said.