Q. Romain, it has been 10 days since you were confirmed as a Lotus Renault GP driver for the 2012 season. What have been the major changes in your life since you found out that you will be driving for the team?
Romain Grosjean: The big change is that I wake up every morning very happy! Other than that I can now focus fully on next year and prepare myself physically for Formula 1. I came to Enstone last week and it was great to visit the factory as a Formula 1 race driver.
Q. You have mentioned the physical preparation needed for the challenge of Formula 1. Have there been any significant differences in your approach to training?
RG: My training has remained very similar, but I must now focus more on strengthening the neck as this is essential for a Formula One driver and a difficult area to train. The main problem with training in winter is trying not to get too cold outside!
Q. Have you met with Kimi already?
RG: Yes, I met him last week and he is a nice guy. I think we have more or less the same philosophy, we both want to give our best for the team to get good results next year and I am looking forward to working with him.
Q. When will you start working with the engineers in preparation for the year ahead?
RG: The good thing for me is that I have already worked with the team at the end of last season. I met with the guys last week, and also had a chance to go into the wind tunnel and see next year’s car. It is always something special for a driver to see the car being developed and to meet the people working so hard to give us a good car for next year.
Q. What are your targets for pre-season testing?
RG: I will be looking to give the best I can to help the team develop the car as much as possible before Melbourne. Testing is essential in preparing for the season ahead, and I am really looking forward to working with the guys and giving feedback on the car so that we can be ready for Australia. Also, each driver will only get six days of running before the start of the season, so every kilometre in testing will have to be useful. I can’t wait to get started!
Q. What are your plans over the Christmas break? Have you got anything special arranged?
RG: I will be training hard until Christmas and then taking a few days holiday to relax on the beach and get some sun before January, but mostly I’m looking forward to being back at Enstone to meet with the team and prepare for testing in February.
Q. Rumour has it you like to cook. Will you be preparing the Christmas meal in the Grosjean household?
RG: (laughs) Yes, I will be cooking for the whole family, which is always good fun. I’m trying to find some new recipes for the Christmas dinner so we will see how it turns out!
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