When ART Grand Prix dominated the opening two seasons of the GP2 Series, many were quick to assume that the French squad had found some underhand tweak. Paul Jackson was not among them however, the iSport boss determining instead that his squad needed to knuckle down and raise its game. The result was a double title success to mirror ART's. Bridgestone caught up with Paul for the latest Racing all over the World podcast and here he reflects on the season just gone...


Racing all over the World:
How good a feeling is it for iSport to be crowned GP2 team champion?

Paul Jackson:
It is difficult to put into words really. But it was obviously a fantastic feeling and a great reward for the whole team for all their work in the last three years.

Racing all over the World:
How would you describe your season?

PJ:
Pretty tough. We had, as I think most people are aware, a few ups and downs - and some difficulties. But I think everybody kept their focus, kept pulling together and came up with the right result in the end. So, in the end, it was good.

Racing all over the World:
You looked pretty comfortable coming into the last race of the year with a good lead in the team's championship, but for Timo it was very close in the driver's - how much of a concern was that for you?

PJ:
It was a big concern, I have to say. After Monza, when we turned around a difficult weekend into a good result, we felt quite happy. Then, at Spa, everything came crashing down again and the lead was cut to two points and so, of course, the pressure was on for Valencia. But Timo did an excellent job there. He was quick all the time, kept his head, didn't make any mistakes and it was nice to finish off with a win in the Sunday race as well.

Racing all over the World:
All season there seems to have been quite a bit of bad luck for the squad, especially Timo - is that just motor racing?

PJ:
Yes it is. You can never take anything for granted. The important thing for us is, every time we get knocked back a little bit, we have to come back fighting. You just have to keep that focus and keep pushing on.

Racing all over the World:
As a team principal, just how frustrating was Magny-Cours when both of your cars collided at the start when on the front row?

PJ:
That is pretty much as bad as it gets, I think! Of course, it was very disappointing. We had very good pace there and, potentially, we could have had a 1-2 result in the race, which would have been fantastic and it would have given us a big lead in both championships. That was very frustrating, but then these things do happen from time to time. You can't wind the clock back and you have to, like I said with the other difficulties, put it behind you and get on with the job.

Racing all over the World:
Just how difficult is it to have success in the GP2 Series when it's identical Dallara chassis, Renault engines and Bridgestone tyres for all competitors?

PJ: