RL:
Oh yes. I think, sometimes, I’ve been a bit complacent. The lack of competition this year, and I don’t mean to take anything away from Stephen or the other guys, just the quantity wasn’t there, and that means it can be easy to not focus fully on improving yourself or the car. There have been times when I haven’t driven my best and still won.
Q:
And what about next year, if you go into the championship class?
RL:
Well, that will be a completely different story. I’m sure that the competition will be fierce, so it will be vital to be fully prepared - not just before each race, but long before the season even starts. Loads of track time between now and then is very important.
Q:
What do you think will be the hardest part next year - apart from the opposition?
RL:
Qualifying, I think, looking at this year’s grid sheets. The top ten are so close and I’d expect more of the same next year. Pre-race mental preparation will be vital again, obviously, but the timing of your runs to ensure the tyres are working at their optimum will figure too. There are only two or three laps available, and it’s vital to check the tyre window at each circuit according to the conditions.
Q:
Of the opposition next year, who do you think will pose the greatest threat?
RL:
To be honest, I’m not sure who will be in F3 next year. I know Stephen will, and he’s the only driver I’ve really raced against. I would guess that most if not all of the
Autosport Award nominees will be out there, and Mike Conway has already gone exceptionally well in testing.
Q:
So what’s your aim for next season?
RL:
Well, it’s hard to say at the moment. I’ve got my first championship class test this week, so I won’t say too much just yet! In terms of overall, though, somebody once asked me who I aspire to be like. Any driver would say somebody like Senna, and that goes for me too. He was special and he showed how time spent out of the car translates into time on the circuit. So I suppose I’d have to say I'll spend more time at the workshop, working out and testing, because I don’t intend turning up at the first meeting and not being race-ready.
Q:
You’ve had back-to-back titles with FPA in 2003 and F3 Scholarship in 2004. Realistically, what do you think your chances are of taking title number three?
RL:
I really don’t know - and I’m not even prepared to speculate. Let’s see how the testing goes first!
