Q&A: Andy Priaulx - EXCLUSIVE.

Friday, 15th February 2008

Multiple champion explains why he won't be taking anything for granted in 2008...

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Q:
You mentioned 1.5 seconds earlier – is that the advantage you believe SEAT will have at the start of the season with the diesel engine?

AP:
That’s what we were seeing for the last three rounds last year, so if things haven’t changed then yes that should be a similar advantage. Normally the whole grid is separated by less than a second, so now to be 1.5 seconds behind really puts you out of the ballpark.

Q:
You’ve got some new events in 2008 too, in the shape of Okayama in Japan and Estoril in Portugal. How are you looking forward to those meetings?

AP:
It’s really good; it’s always nice to go to new circuits. Estoril we’ve been to before in the European Touring Car Championship and it’s a great track, and I’m looking forward to Japan. It should be I think quite a good event for us, and I hope the promotion is good around the circuit and that we get a good crowd – that’s the important thing. Eurosport’s TV coverage is superb with all live races, so the TV viewing figures should be good as well.

Q:
And you’re clearly looking forward to racing in front of your home fans at Brands Hatch again too..?

AP:
Yeah, that’s one round that I really enjoy. Brands is a great circuit, it normally brings in a very good crowd and the atmosphere is really very good. I can’t wait to race there.

Q:
Is the championship likely to go down to the wire again do you feel? A couple of years ago there were still nine drivers in it heading into the final round, and it has always been very close…

AP:
I would like it to be finished much earlier! Let’s try and aim to do that, but probably that’s out of my hands in a lot of respects. I just have to concentrate on my driving and perform at the very best, and optimise both the car and the driver’s performance. The rest is out of my control.

Q:
So now you’ve won three WTCC crowns in a row and the ETCC before that, what are the chances of a fifth straight title for Andy Priaulx in 2008?

AP:
I think the odds would be pretty good. I wouldn’t bet against it, but equally I’m not taking anything for granted – I respect my competitors far too much for that. I think it’s going to be a great season with great racing, and hopefully I’ll be in with a really good chance to win it.

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