You already took part in this championship back in 2008. You then went on to drive with success in other disciplines. Do you feel you have come back stronger in 2011?
2008 was a specific year for me, as it was my first season in Europe. I was only 18 when I came over from Canada. I was a long way from home and I had to adapt both to a different lifestyle and a new approach to motorsport racing. In 2008, I showed that I could be quick, as I almost always qualified for the SuperPole. But I obviously could have had more success, and was perhaps lacking a bit in maturity too. In Formula 2 in 2009, then in GP3 Series in 2010, where I finished runner-up in both championships, I really learnt a lot. I gained experience, and was exposed to new things and other working methods. You learn something new every day and that motivates you to work even harder. So yes, I am without a doubt a better driver now than I was in 2008. I have quite simply grown up.
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| Photo: Carlin |
Your car is finished in the same colours as the F1 team car. Is F1 your main objective?
I am lucky to have the support of Marussia. Last year, the company helped me to complete my programme in GP3 Series and this year they are even more committed to what I am doing. Every thing I do now, I'm doing with a view to making it into F1. I'm putting everything I can into achieving that goal. In Canada, we have a motorsport culture that is very closely tied to the USA. So my first exposure to motorsport was through Nascar and Indy Car, in the golden years, when Alessandro Zanardi and Juan-Pablo Montoya were on top of their game. I soon wanted to turn my passion for motorsport into a career and, from that point on, F1 has always been the objective that has motivated me most!