Tell us about driving at Abu Dhabi – you’ve had a couple of podium finishes there – what’s the track like and what have your experiences there been like in the past?
Abu Dhabi is a great circuit – I’ve been on the podium there three times and it’s a fun, tricky track to drive on that’s got its own unique challenges. Its sectors are made up of two almost completely different sections: fast corners and long straights in Sectors One and Two, and a tight, twisty, slow-speed bit in Sector Three. It really does have everything, and for a driver it’s very satisfying to race there.
Abu Dhabi itself is a great place, and as it’s usually the location for the last race of the season, it’s always great to go there as the atmosphere really builds leading up to the weekend. There’s a huge buzz around the place and it feels like a bit of an ‘end of term’ party, so there’s always lots going on. Having the race at dusk is also a great spectacle, so you can really feel the excitement from the fans all weekend, which makes it very special.
This season, so far, has been a frustrating one for you. How do you cope mentally with a season like this?
It’s true that we’ve experienced a few tough moments so far this season, but also a lot of positives, so it’s important as a team that we focus on those and maintain our motivation throughout the whole season. As a team we are an immensely focused, determined group of people and everyone is working incredibly hard both in Woking and in Sakura, Japan, so as a driver it’s really motivating to see the effort from all involved. We know the potential we have in our package, and although in the short-term we are experiencing some challenging moments, in the longer term we are positive about the future and are hungry to win. We know we have to endure these difficult times now in order to learn as much as we can and build on it for the future.
What do you put the problems down to and how will the team overcome them?
There is no magic one single area that you can pinpoint, Formula 1 is a team sport and there are always a huge amount of variables that have to work in harmony to really hit the sweet spot. The new McLaren-Honda partnership has started in an era of a lot of change in Formula 1 and strict new regulations with regards to the design of the power units. The other manufacturers in the sport have been working on their concepts for the past five or so years, so we were under no illusion at the beginning of the year that we would be starting on the back foot compared to a lot of other teams. Testing is also incredibly limited now than compared to say, five or ten years ago, so a lot of our testing and configuration has had to take place under the spotlight of the world’s media and fans, which is never easy. That said, we know that the only way to win in this sport is to be part of a works team with an engine manufacturer, and Honda is absolutely the best organisation in the world to form such a partnership with, so we’re confident that, given time, we will achieve the success everyone is working so hard for.
How different are the years when you’re on top compared to those where you’re struggling – in the latter is there ever a time where you just don’t want to drive or do you look at every race as an opportunity to put things right?
Every race is a new opportunity. You can’t really look at it any other way and as Formula 1 drivers we have the best job in the world, and every grand prix weekend still feels as exciting as the very first time you stepped in a Formula 1 car. Of course, some weekends are tougher than others, but every session in the car is a chance to push as hard as you can and get the most from the package you have, and when you do there is no more rewarding a feeling.
Can you sum up the life of an F1 driver. It has that overt glamour but the schedule seems a punishing one. What’s the reality?
F1 is a very glamorous sport on TV and as a driver we are extremely fortunate to be in the position we are. Saying that, there’s a lot of hard work, long hours, media and partner commitments, a lot of time spent on planes, jet lag, training, and all the other elements of the job that come with driving 19 grands prix a year, so by the end of the season you definitely look forward to a break but as soon as that break starts you’re desperate to get back behind the wheel. F1 really is the pinnacle of motorsport and only a few ever get to be in the driving seat, so it’s important to appreciate everything that comes with it and acknowledge just how lucky we are.
At this stage do you look at a point beyond racing – and if so where do you see yourself once you’ve retired?
At the moment we have a big challenge ahead of us – there’s huge motivation within the team to keep pushing forward, and the atmosphere is still as positive as ever. I love being part of the McLaren-Honda partnership and I’m not thinking about anything beyond next year at this point. This is my sixteenth year in F1 and I know I won’t be on the grid forever, but F1 has been part of my life for so long that I haven’t really contemplated what I’d do when I hang up my helmet. There’s still lots to work towards before the end of this year and right now that is my main focus.
Tell us about your involvement with TAG Heuer – and which model watch do you wear – do you wear one while racing?
TAG Heuer and McLaren have enjoyed a long and successful relationship and I’ve worked with them on a number of campaigns and activities during my time at McLaren. TAG Heuer is an extremely prestigious company to work with and they share many of the same brand values and rich heritage as McLaren. I’m lucky enough to have quite a few different models in my collection and more recently I’ve been wearing a TAG Heuer Formula 1 chronograph McLaren edition watch, which is a special edition model. I don’t tend to wear one during racing as it’s important to be as light as possible in the car, which sadly means no accessories or add-ons, but I love watches so a TAG Heuer is always part of my outfit whenever I’m not racing.
