WWW.OK.CO.UK 77Who are your sporting heroes?
I was Michael Schumacher’s biggest fan
growing up – I had a little red helmet and
red shoes, and I’d ride round on my bike
pretending to be him. I’ve also been lucky
enough to meet Lewis Hamilton and Jenson
Button. They told me to keep going.
How did you meet James?
I’m friends with James’s sister Sarah and the
three of us went out one night when I was
about 21. I thought he was really nice and hot –
do people still say that word now?
James: I struggled to put up with her then and
I still do [laughs]. No, I thought she was lovely!
What happened next?
Alice: About six months later we went clubbing
in Oxford for a mutual friend’s birthday. Me and
James kissed so one of our friends pranked
us, changing our relationship status to ‘in a
relationship’ on Facebook.
James: It just never got changed! We ended
up in a relationship.James, did you know about Alice’s racing
when you met?
Yeah, I was a motor sport fan. I saw her on TV
once at a Formula 1 practice in India. I was like:
‘Oh, that’s Alice Powell – my sister’s friend.’
Alice: So basically, he’s a fan!
James: I’m her biggest fan. I’m always proud
of her.How is it living with
your parents?
Alice: It was difficult
at first not having our
own space but I’ve got
used to it now. It’s the
only way to save for a
mortgage. I’ll be able
to add my prize money
to the savings pot
now, but I also want to
reinvest in my sport.Who does the driving between you two?
Alice: James, because I’m too impatient.
James: She’s a terrible backseat driver. She loves
to tell me I should have indicated or I shouldn’t
have turned there. I’ve normally done something
wrong, that’s what my life has become.
Alice: It sound as if we’ve been married 20 years!James, how did you propose?
In January last year while visiting family in Ireland.
Alice: I knew it was coming because he asked
for my ring size.
James: She also went to hold my hand which
was in my pocket. The ring box was in there.
Alice: I was still a bit surprised because I didn’t
know when it would happen and I didn’t
want to get too far ahead of myself. We
haven’t started planning the wedding yet as
racing has taken over, but we have spoken
about children. James can take them to live
in a separate house so I don’t get woken up
before racing [laughs].
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WWW.SWAROVSKI.COM.TWITTER.COM/JOSIECOPSON PHOTOGRAPHS BY SAM RILEY
ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHS BY GETTY IMAGES
STYLING BY AMY STILL @ ME AGENCY
HAIR AND MAKE-UP BY BETH MCKENDRICK @ ME AGENCYOK!‘I was Michael
Schumacher’s
biggest fan growing
up,’ Alice tells usgggBelow: Alice in action
last week. Right: Some
of her trophiesALICE WEARS DRESS BY COAST; AND EARRINGS BY SWAROVSKI