Johnson: “I’m starting from zero” in IndyCar

How is your process of adapting to the world of car ?

I like it. I'm having a really good time, but I'm also clear-headed. I know it will take me at least half of this season to get used to the car, to understand its limits. Besides, I don’t even know if I will be able to extract 100% of its potential this year. I'll try, but I still have so much to learn.

What do you mean?

Already, I have not yet driven a car equipped with Soft tires, and I will discover driving on a street circuit during the only test session before qualifying (in St-Petersburg, April 25. Editor's note) . And then these cars are monsters. There is so much power, grip, aerodynamic downforce… In Nascar, on the speedways of Bristol or Dover, I had the impression of taking a lot of Gs, but I was very far from reality. Besides, I noticed that I was still braking too early, because that's what my instinct tells me to do. Taming this wild machine is no easy task.

THEIndyCar also uses more technological tools than Nascar…

Quite. I was the type to want more data in Nascar, but the regulations were really restrictive on their use, and I didn't realize at the time how much that made our work easier. Without having done any shopping, I am already surprised by the time it takes to analyze the data after the test days. But I'm passionate about it, and Dario (Franchitti. Editor's note) and Scott (Dixon. Editor's note) also help me a lot by sharing their notes.

This winter, you tested lower category single-seaters. Can you tell us about this experience?

In fact, one of my big challenges is reaching the peak pressure and temperature of the tire when it still has enough grip, because I'm not pushing the car enough. My fast lap therefore falls two or three laps after the desired one. This is one of the reasons why I went to drive lower category single-seaters. Actually, in Nascar I never worried about that, because our first lap is always the fastest, then we gradually lose speed. So this experience brought me a lot. And then I'm happy whenever I can be on a circuit. Among these young drivers, I recognized myself a few years ago, when I had big dreams in motorsport.

Is there a circuit where you think you can do well?

No doubt at Laguna Seca (penultimate round, September 19, Editor's note), because I have already been able to complete two test sessions there, and at this point in the season, I will have already accumulated no bad from the experience. So I think I can be competitive there. I hope so, anyway.

So far, what has been the most rewarding thing for you about discovering IndyCar?

When I'm right on a segment of the circuit, when I really reach the limit of the car, and when my braking is adequate. I had never experienced anything similar before in terms of sensations. Afterwards, I haven't managed to achieve a perfect lap yet, but I'm working on it.

On a scale of 1 to 10, Romain Grosjean told us he was at 5 in terms of readiness level. Where are you located?

If Romain is at 5, then I am at 2. Even if he will have to familiarize himself with neutralizations and various procedures, he has spent his life in single-seaters. I'm starting from zero, and what's more, I've never run into traffic before. But whatever happens I'm having a blast, and during the first race I'll have a smile on my face.