You’ve now won in Bahrain in #7 and #8 for Toyota. That’s a nice sense of equilibrium!
It was good to win in Bahrain. For a few races we weren’t so lucky. It would be good to finish 2nd in the championship.
There have been a few driver changes at Toyota this year. Did having two drivers in one car and three in the other simplify your strategy in some ways?
Not really. In our car we had some races with Nakajima and others with Mike
(Conway) as soon as he was available. Mike and I do a good job together. We know each other.
What has it been like bringing Mike up to speed with the TS 040?
There’s a very good ambience in how the team works now. Our side has been strong this year, but we need to push for next year. At the moment we need to concentrate on winning the manufacturer’s championship (which Toyota did so in Brazil).
At least that gives us stuff to write about…
Yes! From our perspective, we need to win the race (which Stephane also did).
Driving these Spark Renaults, you’re obviously trying to conserve as much energy as possible – especially at the end of the race where you’re rolling off the throttle and managing brakes. Is that frustrating or do you just see it as another challenge?
In the beginning it was really strange with our braking points, but in the end, you get used to it with a lot of training. It’s all part of the game. The team is managing very well. Compared to some teams we’re having an easier life!
Is there a strong correlation between managing energy in Formula E and juggling your fuel allocation in WEC?
Yes. It’s very similar in terms of driving style. You’re easing the throttle in both categories so it’s good training.
What about the 18 inch tyres Michelin have provided; does the lower profile require a different style of driving? I know some drivers have said they’ve found it a challenge.
Not really. It’s a similar style of driving an LMP1 and Michelin provide us with very good tyres. We’ve got pretty good grip and car balance. The car feels pretty good under brakes so everything is good!
I chatted with Timo Bernhard about his hill-climb exploits. He said its good training for qualifying sessions with varying conditions. Do you find keeping your hand in rallying gives you a similar advantage?
Well in rallying you’re never sure about what you will find. They’re both high intensity, but racing is racing and rallying is rallying. I’m lucky that I enjoy both disciplines.
You’ve jumped from open wheel series to rallying and back to circuit racing again. Robert Kubica is on a similar kind of trajectory. You made it look easy with quite a few top ten finishes, but how do you go about making the adjustment?
It’s very different, but when you are used to it, it’s such a great experience driving on gravel. It’s a different motivation and spirit as well as working with different engineers. I like it a lot!