I don't think that running with the older-spec car is going to be a disadvantage come the next European season either. For me, it's going to be the same as everyone else. I'm not going to get any more or any less than any of the other drivers, so it's relatively fair in that sense, but I'm going to feel better prepared because I'm going to be driving all the way up to the first race, whereas everyone else will have done just a few tests.
I'll have done five race weekends before the first race in Europe next year and I think that's going to be very positive for me, whether it's with the old car or the new car. It's not going to be a difference of night and day, it's going to be small differences to the feeling of the car - or at least that's what I have heard from people who have tested it!
I'm hoping the relationship with Super Nova is going to carry on into next summer too. We have an option in the contract so, if everything goes according to plan, then we can pick that up for next year. I feel that, if I prove myself in this Asian Series, they'll want to continue with me.
We fly out to Asia in the middle of January and we've got a few days of testing before the first race in Dubai right at the end of January, so I'm going back to Denmark to spend Christmas with the family. It should be good.
I'm looking forward to it although, if I have a fun Christmas, I know that there will be other drivers training, so I have to keep fit, keep training, for most of Christmas.
Maybe I can have a few days where I can chill out and relax with the family, otherwise I am going to be training pretty hard, especially as the Asian races are going to be quite a bit tougher than most of the European ones. With the climate and other things, I think it would be silly to let me guard down now, especially with the problems I have had with my back.
![Christian Bakkerud - Super Nova International [pic credit: GP2 Series]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/386191.jpg)
