RUNNING ON EMPTY Ronnie needs Rocket fuel to win
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PETROLHEAD potter Ronnie O’sullivan insists he must shift up several gears to have any chance of a record-equalling seventh world title.
‘The Rocket’ lifted the trophy at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield in August, in last year’s delayed tournament.
The 45-year-old O’sullivan’s eyes tend to glaze over whenever he is asked about matching Stephen Hendry’s tally of seven successes in the 17-day marathon – a mark set in 1999.
It remains one of the very few records that world No.2 O’sullivan has not already snatched from the Scot, who has made a comeback after eight years in retirement.
But O’sullivan, who would nail the ‘Who is the greatest?’ debate with another Crucible win, has seen his killer instinct vanish in all five finals played this season.
He admits that his main passions now outside the game, notably racing cars Brands Hatch or Silverstone.
Hoping to summon up the ‘Spirit of 2012’ and find something in
Sheffield, he said: “I have nothing to prove to anyone and I’ll leave the debate of who is the greatest to others.
“Enjoyment is all for me and having that attitude has extended my career maybe by a decade.
“But the level I have produced this season is nowhere near good enough to win another world title this year.
“Definitely not. But that’s the X-factor element, you just never know. I could find something there at the Crucible in the first match.”
O’sullivan will find out tomorrow who he will face in his opening match on Saturday at this Betfred World Championship. He said: “In 2012 I went there thinking I hadn’t got a prayer.
“And I got to the Crucible and suddenly it all clicked. It could be the same this year.
“I suppose winning a seventh world title is now a real possibility but mainly I will be happy if I don’t embarrass myself.
“I would never want to go there and have an absolute stinker.”
However, those same eyes light up when it comes to his passion for motorsport.
O’sullivan, who has owned Ferraris, Aston Martins, Porsches, Bentleys as well as a fleet of Audis and BMWS, said: “I love racing. I do track days at places like Brands Hatch and Silverstone. I have been up around the 160 to 170mph mark and the idea is to get any car right at its limit.
“I was in the passenger seat once of a Volkswagen and this driver was overtaking Ferraris because he was a much better driver, going more aggressively into corners in a £6,000 car.
“And I totally get the amazing buzz you must have in Formula One, or as a top rally driver.”