TC:
Yeah. Last year was a big learning year. There are 30 people in the team or something like that, and you need to learn what everyone does and how they all think. When you come in and talk to your engineer, saying you’ve got this problem or that problem, this is good, I’ve got this feeling here…at first he is writing it all down because he isn’t quite sure. It’s not that he doesn’t believe you; he just isn’t sure. By the end of the year, though, you know how everyone ticks and I started going really well with the car. We’ve now had a good winter and have managed to make a couple of really good changes on the Vectra. They’re all good steps in the right direction.
Q:
Your team-mate Fabrizio has been one of the top touring car drivers in the world for several years now. You fared pretty well against him last year didn’t you?
TC:
Yeah, he’s a good lad. He is a nice guy and he’s very quick. He has won a lot of championships. Last year I was slightly quicker, I think six times out of ten in qualifying, but in the races he ended up getting the wins and he beat me in the points, so there’s a bit of a feeling of it being the young fast guy and the older more experienced one. I think this year with a bit more experience behind me now it will be better for me in the championship.
Q:
So taking an overall view of the season ahead, what would you say your aims and objectives are?
TC:
To get a win, definitely. I want Vauxhall to win the championship. Last year we had
Matt Neal win which was great, but it happened the year before as well so that’s now two consecutive years Honda have won the championship and I can imagine Vauxhall don’t like that very much. They are a very successful manufacturer, and I believe Fabrizio and I can give everyone out there a real good run for their money this year.
