Crash.net
How does it feel to be back to the United Kingdom with the prospect of racing in front of your home fans?
AP:
It is nice to be coming home. I grew up racing in Britain so it feels like home and when you are home soil you have that piece of mind that you know the circuit well and you know what to do and what not to do. At the same time though there is the added pressure of the media attention and the attention from fans as well. Everyone seems to come to one race and it is your home race, so it is going to be a big one.
Crash.net
How much do you want to put right what happened in 2006?
AP:
Sometimes I want to win too badly! It is all about controlled aggression and what happened in the second race last year was a little bit unlucky as well because I had driven really well to get the heaviest car on the grid into the top eight and I made a mistake but we had a massive downpour under the safety car and I was the first arrive at a corner with standing water and I went straight off on it. It was a bit 50:50. The more I want it, the worse it can be though sometimes, so I just need to drive two really good races and, firstly, take home good points, and secondly, see if I can get a home win, which would be tremendous.
Crash.net
How much do you enjoy indulging in the corporate side of motor racing?
AP:
It is great on a day like today because I don’t have any pressure. I can do what I want to do and I can just enjoy and have some fun. At every race weekend I am a completely different character and I can be a little monster when things aren’t going right. My team are very demanding and they want me to give them as much information as possible all the time on the car, so it is a full-time job just to manage your thought processes and working method with the team. Today, is just fun and I am enjoying it.
Crash.net
The
BMW somewhat struggled compared to SEAT and Chevrolet at
Brands Hatch last year – do you think it will be better this year?
AP:
I don’t know. I think in the dry we have a good chance to do well, but we don’t have the speed in the wet and that does worry me. You must never say never though and if you work Hard AT it then it will come your way in the end. I know that BMW struggled in the wet in the BTCC as well, but it has pace and I’m sure we can set the car up to be quick in all conditions. We just need to keep our heads down.
Crash.net
You have been immensely consistent this season as you have only scored one victory and yet are still well in the running for the championship? What makes the difference over the course of a season?
AP:
I think I proved last year that even though I won five races, it still went down to the final race in Macau and I am still one of the most successful touring car drivers with the most wins in this championship. So, really it is just down to speed.
Crash.net
Having had a couple of unlucky moments this year, how would you rate your season so far?
