FIA F2
Trident Racing interview with Johnny Cecotto
After making some appearances in 2009, you have entered your first full season in the GP2 Main Series. What's your opinion after 3 races? "The cars and the drivers are highly competitive, and it means that everything is more demanding and ...
Published: Jun 22, 2010, 6:17 PM
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After making some appearances in 2009, you have entered your first full season in the GP2 Main Series. What's your opinion after 3 races?
"The cars and the drivers are highly competitive, and it means that everything is more demanding and thrilling. Just think, usually the top-20 is covered by less than 1 second! The championship is great, but it's difficult too, and enables to build a valuable experience for the rest of a driver's career".
What is the biggest obstacles for a rookie driver in GP2?
"There are a lot of obstacles to overcome indeed. I found three kinds of difficulties. The first is having to work with two or three engineers together. The second is tire management over the entire weekend, particularly during the races, if you don't have a specific experience on that rubber. The third obstacle is race distance, which is longer than you can have experienced in any developmental championship".
What's the most impressive aspect of the Renault-powered GP2 Dallara?
"The car is exceptional under any aspect. The engine is really powerful, like brakes and aerodynamics."
What's your opinion about running in the same environment as F.1?
"During the race weekends you don't feel like you're so close to Formula 1, because between the on-tracks sessions we have no time at all to see them run. It's interesting though, because you can build connections with the team managers of Formula 1 quite easily".
Now you have to tell us more about your personality. What do you do when you're not racing?
"I work out in gym, play Five-a-Side soccer with my friends, go out biking, and work in a company that I started some years ago...".
Do you have a girlfriend or are you single?
"I have a girlfriend. She's with me on all the races".
Talk us about your personal tastes
Car: BMW M3
Food: Italian
Music: Everything except classic and country music
Movies: Iron Man, Transformers
Book: If I can consider it a book... Autosprint!
Track: Spa-Francorchamps, Monte Carlo
Holiday: Seaside
The toughest moment of your career.
"I'd say last season in general. I run in the Formula 3 Euro Series with a smaller team, without big chances to develop the car. That played out as a huge factor in the on-track results".
The best moment of your career.
"My first win at Assen when I was racing in the German F.3 Championship. At 16, I've become the youngest driver to win a Formula 3 race".
Where do you live?
"Monte Carlo".
Who has been the most important person in your racing career?
"My dad. I learned a lot from him, and he constantly followed and supported me, especially at the beginning".
What did it mean to you to be the son of Johnny Cecotto?
"It hasn't been easy at the start. All the eyes were focused on the "son of Cecotto" and rumors started rising at each mistake. Despite that, I believe that when things go on fine, and the results start to come, carrying-on a famous name can have its advantages".
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
"It's not an easy question to answer. My dream has always been to race in Formula 1, although that can be determined by many different factors. In general, I'd like to keep racing cars in high-profile championships".
Have you ever had a role model as a driver?
"Yes, my father. He's always been my role model, both because of the great results he scored in his racing career and his incredible skills and determination".
Where and when did your passion for motorsports start?
"When I was a kid, because I used to follow my dad on-track whenever I had a chance to".
There are choices in your career that you would not repeat, or that you regret?
"Knowing how some experiences have ended, I'd definitely change some of the choices I made. But in the end, mistakes are necessary to build experience, and I believe that the strongest chances of growth come out when you have to face tough situations rather than when you have a smooth way in front".
At the end of 2010, you'll be happy if...?
"...I'll be able to score even more points in standings, and maybe have some more chances to show up on the podium".
-source: trident racing
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