Happy to get back in the car after the summer break?<\/b><\/p>\n
Yes, of course, especially since we’re coming to a great track. For me, it’s kind of my home race. It’s one of my favorites. I don’t have many, but Spa is definitely one of them.<\/p>\n
Is he part of your Top 3?<\/b><\/p>\n
Yes, it’s definitely in the Top 3. I don’t really have a number one, but my favorites are Barcelona, Monaco, and Spa-Francorchamps.<\/p>\n
Is victory your goal for the future?<\/b><\/p>\n
Yes, obviously. You have to start somewhere. Don’t forget that no one has won a championship right away, except Hamilton, but he joined a very good team. I think Alonso is a good example. When he started in Formula 1, he was driving for Minardi and did well, then won world titles. I’m happy here [at Caterham], the team is working hard, and we have been progressing since the beginning of the season. We have to keep fighting and hopefully, someday we can win races.<\/p>\n
What is the most difficult thing to learn in Formula 1 compared to the lower categories?<\/b><\/p>\n
I think everything is complicated. Of course, you have the driving, your talent, but F1 is 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It’s a full-time job. In other categories, you have more free time, you are only focused on your job. In F1, there are more things to do. There are more side activities; sponsors, media. You have to get used to it. I am an easygoing person, so for me, it’s going well.<\/p>\n
You said it, the team has progressed, but you as a rookie have also evolved since the beginning of the season. What do you still need to improve on today?<\/b><\/p>\n
To be honest, at the beginning of the season, the most important thing was to have time to grow in this environment. I think I have shown good potential by coming to Europe, both in qualifying [15th in Monaco and 14th in Spa, editor’s note] and in the race. I struggled with the tires, that was the main problem, but after some time it got better and then they [Pirelli] changed the tires so we had to readapt. But the most important thing is how you evolve as a person and as an athlete.<\/p>\n
Are you satisfied with the new tires?<\/b><\/p>\n
Yes, I am satisfied.<\/p>\n
If you were in Bernie Ecclestone’s position, what would you change?<\/b><\/p>\n
I think Bernie has a very good business. For me, I think the way the races are is very good. Maybe I would organize more races on old circuits. In Italy, there is Imola, which is very nice. There’s also Magny-Cours. The atmosphere may not be the best and the city isn’t great, but the track is pleasant. I think the new circuits are good, but there are no limits [gravel traps]. Even if you go to Monza, there aren’t really any limits anymore.<\/p>\n
Are you happy about Austria’s return next year then?<\/b><\/p>\n
I have never been there. I have already played some rounds on my console with video games, but it seems to be pretty awesome, so yes, I’m happy we’re going back.<\/p>\n
Next month, the movie Rush will be released on screens. If you had to choose another subject, another season, or another period of Formula 1 history to transpose to the cinema, which would it be?<\/b><\/p>\n
I think the next one should be the Senna-Prost duel. That would make a good movie. I saw Rush last week. It’s a very good film. You don’t see so much of the racing, but the story is fantastic.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
MotorsInside was present in the Spa-Francorchamps paddock for the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix and met with Giedo van der Garde, Caterham F1 driver.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":28,"featured_media":39748,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,1749],"tags":[132,1494],"class_list":["post-16872","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-f1","category-news","tag-caterham","tag-spa-francorchamps"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n