Auto123.com had an exclusive interview with Tristan Vautier, who currently stands second in provisional championship classification.
Tristan, tell us about the last round of the championship, presented in the Iowa Speedway?
That was another great week end in terms of performances. The car was fantastic and I could set a second pole position in-a-row. I could lead the race for 70 laps, but I had a drive-through for blocking another driver while defending my position and that dropped me down one lap behind the new leader. I could get back in the leading lap, in fifth position, and take advantage of a yellow flag in the last part of the race to take fourth at the finish line.
Are you now comfortable with the oval tracks?
Yes, I’ve been comfortable on the three oval tracks we ran on this season, with two pole positions, and leading each race.
What are the main specificities of this kind of race, how do you have to set the car up, and how do you have to manage the race itself?
We try to have a car with the lowest understeering possible, to have to turn the wheel as little as possible in the corners, and to not slow the car down too much. It is difficult to find the limit between a car which has a lot of grip at the front, but does not sleep too much from the back. Another difficulty is the qualifying, where we have only one warm-up lap before two flying laps. You have to be quickly in the pace, and comfortable with cold tires.
Talking about the season from the begining, how did you manage your move from Star Mazda to Indylight?
The transition went well. I have a great team around me that has learned me very well the style of driving this car. But I still have much to learn.
Did you expect to perform so well from your very first race?
I didn’t have a particular target, I had no particular expectations. I focused on my work more than on the result I wanted to achieve, and worked a lot with my engineer Chris to learn quickly.
Can you tell us about your most serious rivals?
I think they are quite simple to indentify ! Esteban Guerrieri, Sebastien Saavedra and myself have been very close since the begining of the season. They are very fast, experienced and do not make mistkes, but many drivers are able to fight in front every week end. All the drivers are very competitive this season.
A word about your team Sam Schmidt Motorsport?
This is an incredible team. They know the car by heart, but they keep on working very hard and try to learn even more, to keep an advantage on our rivals. This is a real luxury to run for them, each weekend I know that the only thing I have to do is to focus on my job, and if I make the job, the result will be there.
Do you have any plan for a move to the Indycar championship next season?
I do not think about it for now. I really focus on my work this year because I know that my future will depend in part on my place in the final championship classification this year.
Tristan, tell us about the last round of the championship, presented in the Iowa Speedway?
That was another great week end in terms of performances. The car was fantastic and I could set a second pole position in-a-row. I could lead the race for 70 laps, but I had a drive-through for blocking another driver while defending my position and that dropped me down one lap behind the new leader. I could get back in the leading lap, in fifth position, and take advantage of a yellow flag in the last part of the race to take fourth at the finish line.
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| Photo: Sam Schmidt Motorsports |
Are you now comfortable with the oval tracks?
Yes, I’ve been comfortable on the three oval tracks we ran on this season, with two pole positions, and leading each race.
What are the main specificities of this kind of race, how do you have to set the car up, and how do you have to manage the race itself?
We try to have a car with the lowest understeering possible, to have to turn the wheel as little as possible in the corners, and to not slow the car down too much. It is difficult to find the limit between a car which has a lot of grip at the front, but does not sleep too much from the back. Another difficulty is the qualifying, where we have only one warm-up lap before two flying laps. You have to be quickly in the pace, and comfortable with cold tires.
Talking about the season from the begining, how did you manage your move from Star Mazda to Indylight?
The transition went well. I have a great team around me that has learned me very well the style of driving this car. But I still have much to learn.
Did you expect to perform so well from your very first race?
I didn’t have a particular target, I had no particular expectations. I focused on my work more than on the result I wanted to achieve, and worked a lot with my engineer Chris to learn quickly.
 |
| Photo: Sam Schmidt Motorsports |
Can you tell us about your most serious rivals?
I think they are quite simple to indentify ! Esteban Guerrieri, Sebastien Saavedra and myself have been very close since the begining of the season. They are very fast, experienced and do not make mistkes, but many drivers are able to fight in front every week end. All the drivers are very competitive this season.
A word about your team Sam Schmidt Motorsport?
This is an incredible team. They know the car by heart, but they keep on working very hard and try to learn even more, to keep an advantage on our rivals. This is a real luxury to run for them, each weekend I know that the only thing I have to do is to focus on my job, and if I make the job, the result will be there.
Do you have any plan for a move to the Indycar championship next season?
I do not think about it for now. I really focus on my work this year because I know that my future will depend in part on my place in the final championship classification this year.