Q&A: Susie Stoddart - EXCLUSIVE.

Tuesday, 1st April 2008

DTM star speaks about how she is taking all the pressure off in 2008 - but how equally she is confident she is in for her best year yet in the fiercely-competitive category.

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Q:
After you drove a 2005-spec C-Class last year, you now have a 2007-spec machine, which has probably been the biggest change for you over the winter months. Is that a big step forward?

SS:
For me personally it’s a huge step forward; the fact that Mercedes-Benz slimmed down their team by one car but that I was still given an ’07-spec car was great for me, and I was very proud to get it. It’s difficult to give a direct comparison between the ’05 car and the ’07 car; I drove the ’05 car in the last race of 2007 at Hockenheim, then it’s a four-month break before you drive again, but everything feels good in the ’07 machine and it looks like an awesome racing car. I’m very, very happy to be in just a one-year-old car this year.

Q:
Mika Hakkinen left the DTM at the end of last year, and he had until that point been the DTM’s biggest star name, being a former double Formula 1 World Champion. You’ve got another ex-F1 driver at Mercedes this year in the shape of Ralf Schumacher. How has he settled into the team so far, and how are you working with him?

SS:
I have to say it was a really pleasant surprise. We met at a PR day, and he’s a really nice, down-to-earth guy. He’s the second-most successful German Formula 1 driver, and I think he’s going to be strong in the DTM; he’s shown good pace in the tests so far, and he’s been made to feel very welcome by Mercedes-Benz. I think he’s really going to enjoy himself.

Q:
The DTM has a very big fan base, both in Germany and in Europe in general. Do you think Ralf will help to increase that, given his notoriety and his popularity in F1?

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SS:
Based on how much press the DTM has attracted throughout the winter time, it’s been phenomenal, and most of that is regarding Ralf. I think it’s going to create huge interest, and that’s great for the championship; that’s what I love to see. The DTM deserves to be bigger and better than people give it credit for, and I think Ralf will help to bring the series along. Schumacher is such a famous name in the whole world really, so yeah, I think it’s great for the championship.

Q:
The DTM obviously is nominally a German touring car championship, but over the course of the season you race across Europe, with visits to Italy and Great Britain amongst other countries. Is there anything in particular you’re looking forward to in 2008?

SS:
The Hockenheimring is my favourite circuit, and for me it’s always a special place because it’s both the first and the last round of the championship. There’s always a very special atmosphere there, but I also think it’s great that we’re going to be visiting Italy, France, Zandvoort in Holland and Brands Hatch. It’s a real diverse calendar this year, and it should be good.

Q:
You have yet to open your points-scoring account in the series, so looking finally towards the first round at Hockenheim – which as you say is your favourite circuit in the DTM – what are your aims going there and then for the remainder of the campaign?

SS:
Last year I said my aim was points, but as we all know to score points in the DTM is not an easy feat. This year, instead of putting pressure on myself and saying ‘I want points’, I think the first aim is to be on a par with my team-mates and do the best possible job that I can. If that brings me points then that’s great, and for sure that is my overall aim.