by Russell Atkins
Leading British tin-top star Jamie Green was arguably the fastest driver in the DTM last year, but for all his raw pace came away without a single race win to his name. He is adamant the forthcoming campaign will be a very different story.
In only his second season in the hotly-contested series, the 24-year-old stormed to four pole positions and registered a brace second-place finishes on his way to fifth position in the drivers’ standings, in the exalted company of megastars such as Mika Hakkinen, Jean Alesi, Heinz-Harald Frentzen and Tom Kristensen. Here the former F3 Euroseries champion explains how he intends to make it a case of third time lucky in 2007…
Q:
Jamie, how excited are you about the season ahead?
Jamie Green:
I’m really optimistic for this year. Last year had a lot of positives apart obviously from not managing to get a race win, but overall it was a really good year for me. I think 2007 could and should be even better.
Q:
You mentioned last year. In 2006 you had a stunning record in qualifying, so the pace was certainly there. What do you think you have learned from that experience that you can put into practice this time around?
JG:
I learned you get no points on Saturdays! I finished fifth in the championship and that’s all that really counts – the championship – not how many pole positions you set. This year I definitely need to work on my race performances, which is mainly the starts. They are my weak points, and if I can conquer that I think I will then have a very good chance of winning the championship.
Q:
One of the highlights for you last year must have been leading in front of your home crowd at Brands Hatch; how are you looking forward to going back there again?
JG:
Brands Hatch is unfinished business for me because I really should have won there last year, and to win in front of your home crowd would be a really special day. That’s what I would like to do, so I’m especially looking forward to going back there.
Q:
The DTM is a fiercely-competitive series, and you will be racing this year in a 2007-spec Mercedes. How much of an advantage is that likely to give you?
JG:
You never know how close the new cars are going to be to the year-old cars, so you can’t really predict how much of an advantage being in a new car will be. Obviously I’m happy to be in an ’07 car, though. If Gary Paffett is in a used car then we will really see what the difference is, because he is the top driver. It will be interesting to see how it all pans out.
Q:
Do you foresee a close fight with Audi again this year?
