Bianchi: “I keep my feet on the ground”

Jules Bianchi, in a few weeks, changed his status. The Frenchman won the Formula 3 Euro Series championship, competed in the GP2 Series tests, the tests F1 reserved for young pilots and signed a long-term contract with Ferrari. " It's true that it goes very quickly, confirms the Brignolais. But, when we drive, the goal is to get to F1. A driver likes things to go fast, on and off the track? as long as there is no exit from the track! I am completely serene about everything that happens to me, I am very happy, delighted, but I keep my feet on the ground and I am well surrounded. »

This week, the member of the French FFSA team was able to spend 48 hours with Ferrari, and complete more than 200 laps during the private tests in Jerez, reserved for F1 teams wishing to test young drivers. “ I didn?t realize until I got behind the wheel, confides the young Frenchman. I realized what was happening to me once there. I kept a cool head, I tried to ignore what these tests represented to stay focused on what the team was asking me to do. I was impressed, my heart was beating hard, but I was just thinking about driving and not about the fact that I was making a dream come true. »

While, on Thursday, Ferrari shared the wheel of the F60 between the three winners of the F3 Italian, Jules Bianchi was able to benefit from two full days with the Scuderia, Tuesday and Wednesday. The Frenchman thus had time to acclimatize to Formula 1 at the Prancing Horse team. “ The first day, we drove for me, so that I could get my bearings and adapt to the car, the second the conditions were very different. The stable gave me the time I needed to feel comfortable. She only gave me one recommendation: don't go off track, learn gradually. Honestly, I felt at ease instantly. »

After these two days of testing, the F3 Euro Series champion draws positive results from this handling. “ The change was enormous compared to all previous experiences. I was a little confused before my first laps of the wheel. I managed to do everything I needed to do, especially on the second day, without looking for an achievement. »

Impressive this season with ART Grand Prix in F3, the great-nephew of Lucien Bianchi made his mark in the world of motorsport. His performances have allowed him, in addition to the good contacts that Nicolas Todt, his manager, with the Scuderia, to get closer to Ferrari, with whom he is now linked for several seasons. “ My visit to the F1 paddock allowed me to make contact with several teams, including Scuderia Ferrari. The season was going well for me in the F3 Euro Series and it was time to think about preparing for the future. As always my manager, Nicolas Todt, took care of all the administrative aspects, I took care of the track! The contract was signed a few weeks ago in Geneva. »

Happy with his new status, the Frenchman recognizes that the period he is currently going through is full of good news, notably the contract signed with the Scuderia. “ It’s a great mark of recognition, I still have a little trouble finding my words. My head is full of the tests that have just ended! » While waiting to return to Ferrari in the future, Jules Bianchi's next objective is now to turn to the next GP2 Series season, which he will compete with ART Grand Prix.