Jousse: “Finish in the Top 3”

Julien Jousse, did you feel any pressure, any tension when you started the second race at Donington Park, where you started in pole position?
I was more tense at the start of the first race because I started in fourth position and you are never safe from a bad blow. Then I made a mistake by pressing the limiter button at the wrong time, which caused me to lose places. During the second race, starting from pole, I was more relaxed. I added a boost (50 additional horsepower) to give me good momentum at the start. When you start in the lead, it's obviously easier, you just have to concentrate on your race and go as quickly as possible without worrying about the others. The most difficult exercise is the qualifications. And, after the start, keeping your head is essential.

The early neutralization then the restart on the fifth lap did not upset your strategy?
I managed my three laps behind the safety car well. I was able to start in good conditions, with good tire balance. When we are in front, we have the chance to choose when we want to leave. So I was lucky enough to be able to surprise my opponents and take a thirty meter lead on the restart.

Did your pace surprise you?
We were competitive and fast. In performance, we knew we were very good. I showed it by achieving the best lap in both races. I had no problem with the performance level of the car.

Finishing with a lead of fifteen seconds in 25 laps is a big performance. Were you extremely motivated?
Since the start of the season, I had shown that I knew how to be consistent. This time I wanted to show that I could be a striker. I took, on average, seven tenths per lap from my opponents. I wanted to make a mark, to show that I could do it, be fast and win a race, by attacking. So I tried to get as far ahead as possible, concentrating on my race.

Were the tests carried out on Tuesday decisive in gaining performance?
Above all, it gave me confidence. Usually, we only ride on Friday, we only have two 30-minute sessions before qualifying. The time to get back into the swing of things is short enough to feel confident. Last Tuesday, I was able to drive the car for several hours, which gave me more confidence before the weekend.

Can this victory lead to others?
It gives me new impetus in any case. The bad weekend I experienced at Brands Hatch broke the rhythm of my season. This victory allows me to give myself new momentum. I hope to stay on this path.

What goals have you set for the ranking?
I want to get closer to second place. This will be the goal of the next meeting (Oschersleben, September 6). My goal is to finish in the Top 3 in order to obtain the superlicense.

And first place?
Andy Soucek is very far away (24 points difference). But I'm going to give my best to get closer and we'll do the math at the end.

The end of the season is approaching. Are you already thinking about next season?
Yes, we think about it. Unconsciously, we think about what can be done next year. But we must remain focused on this end of the season which, what's more, ends late (November 1, in Barcelona). Afterwards, everything depends on the teams and manufacturers, depending on the choices they make in the different championships. I would like to keep a steering wheel in a single-seater category. Driving cars that go very fast, especially when you're young, is more exciting. But it is still too early to imagine what I will do next season.