Question: What do you associate with this (Magny-Cours) circuit?
Sebastien Bourdais: I have a lot of memories, obviously, because I raced here for the first time in 1995 when I was starting karts. When I count it comes to about 20 races that I did here - and it was here that I had my first major success, winning my first championship in Formula Three. It’s somewhat of a proud feeling to finally come back driving a Formula One car at my home Grand Prix, even if my race was far from being memorable. But honestly, for me it meant more to get to Monaco. There I really had the feeling that I had arrived in Formula One - it was like, ‘Gee, here I am in Monaco…’
Question: Do you enjoy entertaining friends and family during a race weekend?
Sebastien Bourdais: I don’t really have time for that. When I am at the track it is work. I usually arrive very early and leave quite late. Very rarely do you see me leaving the track before 9pm.
Question: Any drivers you particularly like hanging out with?
Sebastien Bourdais: I have a very good relationship with my team mate (Sebastian Vettel). We have been travelling quite a bit together. I am sure I could have quite good relationships with others but the schedule doesn’t allow much of anything. We see each other at the GPDA (Grand Prix Drivers’ Association) meetings, the drivers’ briefing and the drivers’ parade. Unfortunately I am no poker player, so I am not part of that ‘gang’ - but that probably it saves me a lot of money!
Question: How do you like to spend the hour or so before the race? Any superstitions or pre-race rituals you always go through to bring you luck?
Sebastien Bourdais: After I have ticked off the ‘necessities’ - namely PR work and drivers’ parade - I speak with my engineers, then I get ready, and then I go racing. No superstitions any more. I used to be very superstitious with underwear and all those things, but then you discover that you win with everything and lose with everything. It just makes you dependent on things and their availability. So I skipped that nonsense habit.
Question: How do you wind down after the race?
Sebastien Bourdais: Depends. If it’s been a good day you debrief and you talk a lot about positive things. When it was a lousy day you just try to get away from the race track and don’t think about it any more.
Question: If things don’t go your way and you retire early, do you prefer to get away as soon as possible, or hang out and watch the rest of the race?
Sebastien Bourdais: I stay, I watch the race and I am available for the team.
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