Exclusive Interview with Esteban Gutiérrez

Esteban, you’re tenth on the grid this afternoon, a good position to score points?

Yes, it’s a good position. Obviously, we try to do better. The changing conditions were complicated, we had yellow flags. On my last lap there was a yellow flag in the first sector, so I could only improve in the second and third. It was a good session, we are in the top ten which is great. I continue to learn, gaining experience. Conditions like yesterday’s bring me a lot in building myself as a driver. Due to penalties, I will start in ninth position (Editor’s note: Charles Pic, 3rd, was disqualified and will start last.).

The GP2 season is almost over, what is your assessment of this first season?

In general, it has been a good experience even though we had some problems. Some mistakes on my part as I’m a beginner in the discipline. Then there were errors from the team and others that couldn’t be predicted. But thanks to the team, the performances have improved compared to my teammate who is a good reference.

The level in GP2 is very high and the season has been difficult but I enjoyed the learning process, which is the most important thing.

You said you continue to learn a lot, what do you need to improve for next year?

What we clearly need to improve is consistency, which is very important in this championship. Even if you don’t win all the races, you score points and can finish in a good position in the championship. We must avoid mistakes. This is something we need to work on.

Your goal next year will be to finish in a good position, maybe win the championship?

It’s still a bit early to talk about next year, but our objective is clearly to win a championship.

Last year you were in GP3, what is the biggest difference between GP3 and GP2?

The car. A GP2 is bigger, heavier, physically more demanding to drive. In general, it’s also more professional within the team. In GP3 you have more responsibilities as a driver. The possibility for me to be the third driver at Sauber allows me to gain a lot of technical knowledge and to work professionally.

What is your job as Sauber’s third driver?

I must be prepared in case a main driver needs to be replaced. Being the third driver doesn’t necessarily mean I will replace someone, but it’s my responsibility to be prepared for that. I attend meetings with the team. Obviously, I don’t have the same level of knowledge as the F1 drivers, but I keep learning and growing as a driver, which is important for both me and the team. As a young driver, it is very important for me to be involved with the team.

Nico Hülkenberg stated that it was a frustrating job, do you agree with that?

Frustrating? No, because at the same time I’m driving in GP2. For Nico, it might be because he’s not racing in GP2. I’m participating in the GP2 championship and I enjoy it, and at the same time I have the opportunity to be a third driver, that’s why, for me, it’s not frustrating. Obviously, if you come to the circuits and you don’t drive, it’s a bit frustrating.

Many drivers say that Spa is one of their favorite tracks. Why is Spa so special?

I think one of the explanations is the climate. The other thing is the fast corners like Eau Rouge and the turns at the back of the circuit in the historic part of the track.

Michael Schumacher celebrates his 20-year career this weekend, what is your first memory of him?

To be honest, I wasn’t really interested in F1 before I started racing competitively. I was living in Mexico and followed Adrian Fernandez’s performances in Champ Car. But the first memory I have of him is him winning all the races with Ferrari, obviously. But as for his beginnings, I don’t know because I was born in 1991, a few days before he debuted (Note: Esteban was born on August 5, and Schumacher started on the 25th).

What will you do in 20 years?

I hope to race in the Grand Prix, then I will do my best to win a world championship title. But above all, I think about the present.

If we look at the history of F1, there aren’t many Mexican drivers. Today, there is Sergio Pérez doing a good job at Sauber and you who might join the discipline in the short term. Is F1 becoming more popular in Mexico?

Yes, clearly. More and more people are following F1, particularly on TV. But I believe that with Sergio, the interest in motorsports in general is growing, which is good for me in GP2. Our supporters are very important, and I am happy to share this with them. It’s a sport, and you are an example of what can be achieved with time.

From our correspondent in Spa-Francorchamps