Hannes Arch is undoubtedly of the most exciting, successful and driven Red Bull Air Race pilots and became the first European to win the world championship in 2008. An accomplished all-round adventurer who has climbed many of the world’s most dizzying mountains and leaped off many cliffs as a BASE jumper, Arch has pushed the development of the Red Bull Air Race forward with his hard-charging spirit.
“My favourite moment was winning my first race in Budapest in 2008. It’s what you dream about as a race pilot – to win!” says Arch, who has been waiting for the return of the Red Bull Air Race in eager anticipation. “I always remained motivated during the break. We’re all pilots and we want to race. I was really happy when I found out the race was starting again. I was always positive about that. All of us want to win. I also want to win again; I know how much commitment that will take.”
The Austrian ace emerged as the pilot to beat with his stunning world championship title in 2008, beating a field of race veterans in only his second season. His fearless style of racing shook up the flying fraternity and changed the dynamic of the sport. A regular on the podium, Arch is highly intense and focused. He constantly looks for ways to improve his plane and his performance, in a bid to stay one step ahead of his long-time rival Paul Bonhomme. Finishing just behind the British pilot who took the 2010 championship title after an edge-of-the-seat season, Arch will be looking to reclaim his honour. The two pilots have jostled for supremacy at the top of the championship since Arch’s epic rise and the battle will begin once more as the Red Bull Air Race takes to the skies in 2014.
