Don't be fooled by Marc Gene's relative anonymity. WilliamsF1's third driver for the last three years is one of the most intelligent and hard working drivers in Formula One today, and his team bosses hold him in high regard. But would that be enough for the Spaniard to land a racing seat with Williams next year, when one - or both - of their drivers leave the outfit? Gene knows exactly what are his chances. He also shares with Roger Horton the inside info on Ralf Schumacher's situation, explains what makes Juan Pablo Montoya the best, and reveals how Williams are expected to do this season. Exclusive for Atlas F1

By conventional wisdom, Frank Williams is not a man to play poker with for any meaningful amount of money. "Yes, he is a bit of an enigma," 29-year-old Marc Gene, WilliamsF1's official third driver, laughs. "Frank tries to use the market to his own benefit, you know. He always tries to think which card you have in your hand to get the best deal out of it. He's a good negotiator; very good."

To some, Marc Gene is an almost anonymous test driver who spends his days pounding out the miles away from the fans, doing the donkey work for his high profile teammates Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya while waiting in the wings for a golden opportunity to make it into a race seat with one of the best teams in the business. But to those who know the Spaniard, he is a unique character in today's racing scene: a scholar with a degree in economics as well as an amicable and hard working driver with a great technical knowledge.

Gene's racing career spans some sixteen years, commencing with karting at the age of thirteen and continuing through the well trodden path of Formula Ford, British F3, F3000, before a win in the Spanish Fortuna series catapulted the Spaniard into a Telefonica-sponsored F1 drive at Minardi for two years - the highlight of which was scoring a crucial sixth place finish for the struggling team at the 1999 European Grand Prix at the Nurburgring.

When Telefonica withdrew its support from Minardi at the end of the 2000 season, Gene was cut loose and he joined Williams as test driver the following season. Now into his fourth year with the British based outfit, Gene has been a key player in the development of the improving BMW powered package, utilising his analytical mind and keen intelligence to improve the car, and he is an astute observer of the unfolding power struggle between 'driver power' in the shape of Ralf Schumacher, his manager Willi Weber and his seemingly unyielding team boss Frank Williams over the terms of a contract to extend their relationship past the end of this season.

As a string of drivers before the German have found out - and some to their considerable cost - Frank Williams believes that a driver, like everyone else in a Williams uniform, is just another employee; a very important one, perhaps, but an employee nonetheless who needs to justify his salary and bring home the goods.

"Frank doesn't like drivers who are too money-minded," Gene confirms. "We all work for money for sure, but he doesn't want to see drivers that put money above having a good racing car, and sometimes he thinks, when they are World Champions and they were World Champions thanks to his car - thanks to them as well, but thanks to the car - and when they go to Frank and say, I want so much money otherwise I won't race for you, then he probably thinks they are undervaluing his team, his car, so he says, OK go. You won't win wherever you go."

One Williams driver, Juan Pablo Montoya, is already on his way to McLaren next season and the other, Ralf Schumacher, is locked into an increasingly acrimonious negotiation over whether he will continue his already six year association with the Grove based outfit into the future.

Ralf Schumacher has claimed that Williams reneged on an appointment at the season ending race at Suzuka last year to ink in a new deal, something that Gene, with his insider prospective, considers unlikely. "I would be surprised if that was the case, that they had an agreement and they went there to sign it. First of all, the contract is always brought by Williams, the driver doesn't bring a contract; you sign a Williams contract.

"And if Frank Williams says, 'OK, Monday we will sign a contract', then I don't think he will step back. A different situation would be if in October or November he says, 'OK we will do this', and in January he says 'hmm, I won't do it'. That's what negotiations are for, you know; only signed contracts are the final thing.

"But I am sure that in Suzuka they were not going to sign anything since Frank doesn't have to hurry in signing anything, because if the Williams car is good - which we hope it is - then he is going to be stronger in the negotiations."

This, of course, makes perfect sense and is in marked contrast to the situation back in mid 2001, the last time Frank Williams negotiated a contract with the German's manager Willi Weber. Back then Ralf was on a hot streak and held all the aces, as Gene confirms.

"Ralf had just won a couple of races. He won in Imola, in Canada; Ralf did extremely well and Frank thought, this guy is really good and he is going to go somewhere else, and so he signed. Beforehand Ralf was blowing away Juan Pablo, and then after signing he didn't drive that well... well, not as good as before the signing. And I tell you, if Ralf wins again soon he is going to be strong in the negotiations.

"Overall Ralf has had some very good races as well. His drive last year in Hungary was really impressive, and if he hadn't had the problem with the launch start he could have won that race. But then, he doesn't do it again so much. But Hungary was really incredible - it is the most difficult place to overtake and yet he overtook his brother; he overtook so many people. So it shows he can do it as well."

Speaking of overtaking, the interview naturally turns to Schumacher's teammate and the man Gene hopes to replace at Williams next year, Juan Pablo Montoya. The Colombian, for all his speed and daring, is thought by some observers to be under-performing, given his prodigious natural talents.

"He did struggle the first year, I have to admit, and he had a lot of accidents in racing," Gene states. "He had an accident in Monaco, an accident in Montreal. But then he got his act together and now he is not struggling at all. He is the best overtaker in the world in my opinion, and this benefits him in the races. Yes, he struggled more than he was expecting, but in the end he got it back."

RH: Is his Latin temperament letting him down?

Gene: "That's his personality, inside and outside of the car."

RH: Did your hear his radio comments during last year's French Grand Prix, when he reportedly lashed out at the team during the race?

Gene Laughs. The incident has by now become a Formula One milestone - the event where Montoya accused his team of favouring teammate Schumacher, in a barrage of unrepeatable expletives.

"I was listening," Gene says, "but I didn't hear that part. They told me later what he said, but that is the way he is and that's why he is so phenomenal in racing against another driver, you know. And when he overtakes, for sure he gets it wrong sometimes - maybe two out of ten times. But eight times he can do an overtaking manoeuvre nobody else can do, so overall he is very good. He gets it wrong a lot less than people like to say. To me he is really the best, but sometimes he cannot control his character."

RH: You're Latin as well; how is your temperament?

Gene: "I am a lot less emotional than Juan and I always try and control my feelings. I am a lot better than I was at controlling my own feelings when I am racing. But Juan Pablo, he is so passionate it's unbelievable, which is good and bad."

RH: Don't you yourself get frustrated to be here, at a Grand Prix, and not race?

Gene: "Yes, it is frustrating. But I knew beforehand that this is going to happen for the whole year so I don't worry so much, and I certainly don't come to races hoping that something is going to happen to one of the race drivers."

It was, of course, just last season at the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, when Gene was unexpectedly plucked from the substitute's bench and thrust into Ralf Schumacher's race seat, after the German complained of headaches following a heavy crash during testing the previous week.

With only the Saturday morning's practice sessions to settle in, the Spaniard qualified in fifth place, a position he held to the finish of the race. It was a performance that both surprised and pleased his current employers and one which provides much of the basis supporting his claim for one of the race driver positions next year.

Insiders at Williams told Atlas F1 Gene would stand most to gain if Ralf Schumacher indeed leaves the team, leaving them with two vacant seats. In such a scenario, Gene would offer the team much needed continuity - especially in the development of the 2005 car - and would still allow the team to pursue one of the other stars they have on their wish list.

Gene knows continuity is important to Williams, and surprisingly he rather hopes Schumacher renews his contract, despite it working against his own chances. "For next year I hope Ralf re-signs, because it would be good for the team that one driver stays," he explains. "As for Juan Pablo's seat? Well, yes, I am giving it my best, but I know it won't be easy."

RH: Have you started discussions with Frank about it?

Gene: "Not at the moment, because to be honest I think Frank wants to see first how the car is performing and how the other drivers are racing. I think that discussions will start around May. I have told the team that they should consider me due to my performance in Monza last year and my testing experience and everything. This I have already told them, and I know that the feedback was not negative. But we are not discussing further because I know that Frank wants more information that he doesn't have yet, about the car and many things."

RH: So what odds would you give yourself on getting the drive?

Gene: "Twenty percent, or just five to one."

RH: That low?

Gene Laughs. "No, I think it's correct. There are going to be a lot of people trying to get that race drive. You mustn't forget that race drivers are more… well, not more interesting, but certainly it is easier to sell yourself if you are a race driver than a test driver. If one of the drivers that Frank has high on his list does a very good job this season, then it is difficult for me to jump ahead of him."

RH: Do you think Jenson Button is on the list?

Gene: "Perception is difficult to change, and Frank has a good perception of Jenson since 2000, when he was racing for Williams. But perceptions are difficult to change the other way as well. If Frank has a bad opinion of someone, then this person has to get really good results for a couple of years to change it around. But yes, I think Frank has a high regard for Jenson."

RH: How is your relationship with technical director Patrick Head?

Gene: "Let me put it this way: whenever I have something that is important, I will give Patrick a call and tell him. I won't do that very often - maybe about once a month I will call him and brief him or email him as well. But when I need to talk to Frank or Patrick I call them directly, no secretaries to deal with, so I am very happy with this relationship. It's very nice to talk to such high level people whenever you need to."

You don't have to talk to Gene very long to realise that here is a man who is very much more than just you're average racing driver. Engage most drivers in a conversation away from racing and it becomes obvious that the single mindedness that has propelled them to the top of one of the toughest professions there is, also makes them exceedingly insular individuals.

But Marc Gene is decidedly different. Guided no doubt by the experiences of his elder brother Jordi, whose career stalled after a 1994 test drive with the Benetton team, after three years in F3000, the younger Gene found the time and motivation to obtain a degree in Economics at the University of Buckingham, England - a highly unusual move for a budding racing driver.

"The main reason why I did that was because of my older brother," Gene confirms. "He was a very good racing driver in F3 and F3000, and the whole country thought he was going to make it into Formula One and our family did as well. But he did not make it and when I saw that, I realised how difficult it is to make a living out of this business. Formula One is the exception, but behind that there are thousands of drivers who haven't made it. So when I saw that, I thought I had better study because my chances of making it are very small and my family really supported me in this idea.

"On top of that, I like studying. You will always see me with books and reading, it's my number one hobby. It's unusual, I agree; I don't think there is any other driver right now that has a degree. But that doesn't mean that I am cleverer than anyone else, it's just that I have another interest apart from motorsport.

"I think that this is good and bad. Racing drivers tend to be seen as just racing drivers, who have no other interest. And sometimes I wonder whether people question whether I can be a good racing driver when I am interested in politics and things like that.

"Either way, at least I know that if I don't make it, I have my studies to make a career of and that will serve me well when I leave Formula One. There are many things that I would like to do, not just be a TV commentator or something like that."

RH: So did you get first class honours?

Gene laughs again. "No, no! I got a 2.2 or 2.3 or something. I just passed. It wasn't a win, just a podium! But it was very nice - I was given my degree by Margaret Thatcher, who was the Dean of the University, and I have a picture with her. For me, this picture is as important as a Podium in Formula One."

RH: Does having an Economics degree and some education help you in your negotiations with Frank Williams?

Gene: "A little bit. For example, I have no manager. At one point I was thinking about getting a manager and Frank said, 'why do you want a manager? you should do it yourself'. So I have to say, yes, it's good in that respect because I used to have a manager, but not for the last three years and therefore I have no commissions to pay. Of course I am not doing the contracts myself - I have a lawyer, but I think Frank likes talking to me directly."

RH: As you said, sometimes driver selection can be a lot about perception. What do you think is Frank Williams's perception of Marc Gene?

Gene: "I think he would say 'well behaved, clever, very nice person that works very hard, and handles pressure well - after Monza - and can be quick as well when he needs to be.' And I would like the team to think that Marc Gene is a really good candidate for next year, but whether I am number one on the list or number three I am not so sure."

RH: But they know you better than they know anybody else.

Gene: "Yeah, that's why I know they were surprised with Monza because their perception was not as good as I showed in Monza, but I don't know if Monza was good enough for them to say, 'OK, Marc is the one we want in 2005'. So I want their perception to be that I deserve the race seat for next year. So I am working on that."

RH: And how do you do that?

Gene: "Testing is a good place, there is not much more I can do than that."

RH: What about a shootout with the other candidates?

Gene: "Sometimes they do that. But race drivers tend to concentrate on setting up the car and test drivers tend to go through the programme. My priority is to test a certain amount of things and whether the car handles well or not so well. But every test is a bit of a shootout, theoretically even if you are doing a different programme you should be able to extrapolate the times I am losing with tyres or fuel.

"The problem is, will Frank really go so deep into it, finding out which tyres everyone had? The people who are not in the team look at the best lap. The people in the team look at the sequence of laps, but I am sure Frank doesn't ask, 'who had the softest tyres?', I am sure he doesn't go in so deep, he has more important things to do than that. At the end of the year, based on all the testing he will make that conclusion and that's where I have to work hard, trying to prove that I am as quick as the race drivers."

RH: How are you splitting up the test work with Antonio Pizzonia?

Gene: "It's about 50/50. Last year I did a lot of testing, more than I will do this year. But I would like to do more because I like testing and the more testing I do the better driver I become. But I know that they have high esteem for Antonio and I know they are evaluating him for next year's race seat as well, so that's why they are giving him similar amounts of testing as me."

RH: Would you consider an offer of a race seat from a midfield team?

Gene hesitates. "Yes," he says, slowly. "It wouldn't be a straight decision, though. I would have to see what the contract is offering, that the contract is good and that they can't fire me after just three races if some other guy comes with money or something. So it's not something where I would say, 'Yes! Yes! Where do I sign!'.

"But yes, I would like to go racing with a midfield team or alternatively continue as the third driver of a top team, but it's not so clear; I would have to really see what they offer. At the moment I have a year-by-year contract with Williams, so at the end of the year I can do what I want, although if I don't get the race drive, then around September-October Frank will probably come to me and say, 'OK, what do we do for next year?"

In the mean time, the man who ran well over 5,500 laps last year - more than any other driver in F1 and almost as many as Montoya and Schumacher lapped in testing combined - remains dedicated to the Williams cause, of clinching the Championship this season, after seven years without the trophy. And, the Spaniard believes that despite Ferrari's rather surprising domination at the season opener, Williams have what it takes to accomplish their mission this year.

"I think Williams is one of the best teams at developing cars through the year, so if we start with a good car and we develop it, we should really be aiming to win," Gene says. "We launched the car early in order to avoid the problems we had last year, and winter testing has gone good. We have done more testing this year since I joined Williams, and I am happy with the car's reliability. The car is quick, and we have managed a lot of complete race weekend simulations."

And if Williams prove ready, some of the credit must surely go to Gene himself. So what are the chances of the Spaniard getting the race seat at Williams he covets so much? If Ralf Schumacher stays then perhaps Gene's own one in five odds could be about right. But should the wilful German overplay his hand, then Williams might find the thread of continuity the Spaniard offers too valuable to resist.

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