Helio Castroneves: “I’m Always Learning And Maybe That’s Why I Can Be Successful”
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May 24, 2007
Helio, can you talk a little bit about capturing the pole and what we can expect during the Indy 500?
HC: Well, Rick Mears always says that there are two types of races at Indy – the actual 500 and Pole Day. We were definitely in that configuration of battling for that first race, pole day. It was really good, but it was tough and difficult, too. This year we were able to use the results, which is have three attempts before it’s official. We had a very interesting strategy. Literally five minutes before qualifying was over, we were able to set up the car and put in four good laps and get the pole. It was very dramatic, but the strategy was great.
Do you like the new qualifying style? Does this year’s race have more of a feeling of excitement than past years?
HC: I do like the new format because I was actually able to try again and put it on pole position. Yes, there is lots of excitement right now. There are lots of new things happening. First, we’re running ethanol, and everyone has very similar equipment. Plus, we’ve got three women in the field, which has created lots of buzz. Plus, I’m starting on the pole and, of course, that’s creating lots of buzz.
You have had quite a bit of success at Indy, how are you feeling about your chances for this weekend? Who do you think is your biggest competition?
HC: Right now, we do feel we have a very conservative car, which is just what you need for this kind of race. It’s almost three hours of racing, which is a very long race for our type of cars. It looks like it’s going to be really hot, so you need a consistent car on new tires, old tires, and whichever way the wind is blowing. You just need a consistent car. My competition, it’s difficult to point to just one guy because it’s so tight right now. At least three teams – it’s funny because Ganassi has been dominant this year and you can’t deny those drivers. Andretti, they don’t just have four cars, they have five cars for this race. Team Penske, with the records they have here, it’s always a good team to watch.
Have you and Sam Hornish talked much about the race? Have you been kidding each other a little since he won last year?
HC: Sam is a very fine driver and even before he won the championship last year, he understood about team work. Now, he literally understands that. Some of the success he had in winning the championship and the Indy 500 were because he started to become a team player. I even saw that during qualifying. He put in three good laps, but I was able to grab his valuable information and grab the pole. The team is even more tight and it’s an even better atmosphere now. We’re even more focused. We’re both focused to do our best and win the race. Not only the drivers, but the entire team.
What are your thoughts on the three female drivers who will start the race?
HC: Danica definitely has the best equipment of the three women and she’s been here before. Sarah has experience, but she might now have the equipment. This place is always tough to pick who will win. Milka, it’s her first time and she’ll learn a lot. She has the experience in the touring cars, and the results, so it’s good to have those types of women. I won’t be a gentleman and I’ll do my best..
Can you talk a little bit more about Danica and her chances with the new team? Her times in practice have been very quick. Is she a more formidable opponent than she was last year?
HC: Well, certainly in the past when she led the race, she definitely had the best position to win the race with a strong engine. Now, everybody has the same engine. I have to say that the good thing about Danica is that she has very good equipment and teammates she can rely on and who are experienced. That can also be a problem because those teammates won’t be easy on her. They want to win the race, too. That’s the price you pay to be on a good team. I have respect for Danica, she’s a very good race car driver with good knowledge. I don’t know if this is the race where she’ll break through, but no question she’ll break through soon.
Having won the Indy 500 more than once, does that give you an advantage?
HC: Being a two-time winner, it’s great, but you have to remember that every time I come over here, it’s a different environment and sometimes the cars aren’t even the same. I’m always learning and maybe that’s why I can be successful. I don’t just say, “I know what I need to do. ” I feel that the competition level is even more tight, so right now I’m just looking to do well.
The luck involved in the Indy 500 – you’ve seen it strike so many good cars – do you feel a bit like you’re rolling the dice?
HC: Obviously, this is a long race, and you have to be smart enough to save your equipment early in the race. It’s easy to get caught and I remember my experience in 2003. I had the fastest car and led a lot of laps, but I didn’t win. I finished second. Luck is part of this place, but you can also help luck by putting yourself in a good position. Hopefully we’ll be one of those guys and hopefully we’ll be in that spot.
How does Rick Mears help you guys being around the team?
HC: Rick has always been an incredible resource for me, at least, and I’m sure for Sam and the team. He definitely helped me win my first and second Indy. It’s always good to have someone with his caliber able to help us and tell us what we’re doing right or doing wrong.
What is Rick’s role with the team on race day at Indy?
HC: He also works with the IndyCar Pro Series, but in our team he has done so much for Roger (Penske) and he is one of the consultants that we can rely on to advise us. He can go out and look at the line we’re doing on the track, and say “I know you’re doing that, try this. ” With Rick, it’s tough to argue because he’s a guy who knows more than anybody and he has his way to talk to us. He’s a super guy and I’ve always admired him. I admire him even more now that I know him. He is basically my spotter during the race. It’s funny because in 2002 or 2003 or 2004, I don’t remember which race, I say “Rick, help me our here. I don’t know what to do, ” and he always has a good answer. He’s key for giving me good support.
I read something this morning about Toyota asking the IndyCar Series to remove the fuel mixture adjustment knob from cars, what do you think about that?
HC: I heard that, too. I’m not sure it’s official, but again the good news is that now the driver has even more input on how to save fuel and how to make better mileage. It’s going to be much closer when the driver is going to pit. It means creating an even bigger opportunity for pit stops to be a big part of winning the race. They’re doing a lot of surprise things for Indy, so hopefully they’ll work.
Can you explain the feeling of racing against drivers like Michael Andretti, Al Unser and Roberto Moreno, as well as three women this year?
HC: No question, those guys have a lot of experience and I respect all of them. Obviously, Michael is a guy who is still very competitive and he’s one of those drivers that you always have to have your eye on. I wish them luck and I always respect them. Not as much luck as for me, but a little bit. Danica has a very good team and good equipment. But, she’s going to have to beat those guys and they’ve been very consistent and very fast. In the future, that will help her for sure. Milka will hopefully learn more during her first experience. Sarah has always been very aggressive and if she can calm down a little bit, hopefully she can be in the top 10.
There’s an AP story about how there are always demands on Sam’s time, but how you’ve had more free time, do you feel that’s the case?
HC: (laughs) If I’ve had free time, I don’t know where is my time. It’s been totally opposite, I’ll tell you. Capturing the pole position, it’s been an incredible accomplishment, but I do see Sam’s schedule and it seems to be similar to mine. It’s the price you pay. It’s good to have it, and sometimes it’s a little bit too much, but it’s part of the job. Being in the race car is the best part ever, that’s where I enjoy it the most because I’m in the car and in control and I get to be by myself. My schedule, though, is a good opportunity to meet new people and talk about what you enjoy the most, so I always enjoy that.
I know the race in Sonoma is three months away, but do you like racing on the road course?
HC: Well, I was raised to turn right and left, so a road course for me is good to be around. Sonoma is a very physical place, and a very beautiful place and challenging for the drivers and engineers. It’s tough to pass, but if they have improved the layout, like we’ve been talking about, it might create an opportunity. I can’t wait to be there again. It’s beautiful there and I always enjoy racing on the road course and being in a beautiful place.
Sam Hornish is racing in a few Busch Series races this year, and Juan Pablo Montoya has made the move to NASCAR. Do you have any thoughts of making that move?
HC: Thoughts, we all have, but right now I’m focused on the IndyCar Series in this race and hopefully the championship. When the time is right, we’ll see what we do.
How hungry are you for the championship this year?
HC: Right now, I’m thirsty for this race and hopefully we get the milk. I’m also hungry for the championship. You just have to create opportunities and the door will open. Hopefully that’ll be in 2007.
Team Penske has had so much success at Indy – what’s the key to their success?
HC: Leadership. The man has an incredible passion about racing and he’s an incredible businessman. Not because he’s lucky. He’s a man who knows how to put the right people the right places and he works as hard as anybody. So, when your boss does that and he’s loyal to you, you want to work hard for him. It’s a great honor to race for team Penske and I’m going to continue to work as hard as I can to give them what they want.
