How was it working with Mattias (Ekström) and the team?
I think we worked very well together, but with a guy like Mattias I hadn’t expected it to be otherwise. The same applies to the entire Audi Sport crew. The support I received was simply overwhelming. We made perfect use of the time we had available for testing. We not only turned a lot of laps but also simulated many situations that will crop up during the race, for instance, my starts, pit stops and tire management.
What are your expectations for your DTM debut next week?
As far as the end result is concerned I have no expectations. The level of competition in the DTM is notorious for being extremely high. I’ve watched a lot of races and they all seem very close. I’ll try to keep up with the field, but that’s about it in my view. In many situations experience is needed, which I obviously don’t have. For this reason, I’m not going to set myself unrealistic goals; I’m just going to enjoy it.
The race weekend is right between two MotoGP races. How do you manage your full racing calendar?
I admit it’s not easy, but I’m kind of used to it now. Otherwise, I’m often on the road between MotoGP races, for instance in motocross. I like the variety.
Will your family and friends be watching the Misano races?
Yes, I think so. Many of my family and friends follow my outings and are generally very passionate about motorsport. I hope they’ll have fun watching my DTM races.