Live from Silverstone with Jules Bianchi
MotorsInside was able to meet Jules Bianchi, third driver for Sahara Force India, in the Silverstone paddock. The French driver talked to us about his season in the World Series by Renault, his role within the Sahara Force India team, and his future in Formula 1 as an official driver.
Hello Jules, you moved from GP2 last year where you finished 3rd to the World Series by Renault, why this choice? To avoid clashes with F1 during the weekends?
Clearly, the idea was to continue gaining experience in racing, so the only choice we had, given the program I have with Sahara Force India on Friday mornings, was to do the World Series. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to drive in all the European Grand Prix on Friday mornings in F1 while doing GP2, which was a bit complicated, so we chose to do that.
What are the main differences between a Formula 1 single-seater and a World Series by Renault single-seater?
In terms of grip and aerodynamics, it’s quite close. The big, big difference is in the tires because they are not the same brand (Pirelli in F1, Michelin in World Series) so naturally it drives differently, and that’s where there is a difference between F1 and World Series in terms of driving. Then the rest, there are just fewer horsepower, but it’s hard to compare because it’s 10 seconds slower, so it’s still something different, but it’s the car that comes closest to an F1, clearly with the GP2.
In terms of driving and concentration, it is more complicated in a F1, there are more things to do, especially with the steering wheel, right?
There are more things to do, it’s true, but this year it’s good in the World Series because there is the DRS, so it’s an asset for the category. Then, it’s true that in F1, there are many things to manage, the KERS, engine-related things. There are really many more things than in the World Series, where there is the DRS, the radio with the engineer, it’s quite basic in terms of management.
Let’s talk a bit about your role at Sahara Force India, what does it involve both in and out of the car?
Outside, it’s simply about watching, learning, listening, seeing what’s happening around, how things work, so that if one day I have to be there, I’m ready, I know how it functions. Then, on Friday morning, it’s just about doing different programs each time, for example yesterday we didn’t drive much because we didn’t have many wet tires like all the other teams and the team preferred, whether for me or for Paul (di Resta), to keep them for the rest of the weekend, today Saturday and Sunday for the race. Normally, I have a quite different program each time, it’s hard to explain but I’m just trying to do what the team asks me, to do it as well as possible.
Have you already driven on four Fridays – in China, Spain, Valencia, and Silverstone yesterday – will there be more before the end of the season?
Yes, normally, there are 9 in total. I hope there might be one more given last Friday, but we’ll see. It’s still under discussion.
Do you think you can do like Nico Hülkenberg, one year as a third driver followed by a full-time seat?
The goal, for sure, is to be a starter. Then, when, it’s hard to say, I’m trying to do my best with the team, to integrate as much as possible and after that, it’s up to the big boss to decide. I’m here, I’m ready for F1, and now, all that’s left is for me to get my chance.
Do you think this could happen as early as 2013 with Sahara Force India or another team?
The goal is to stay with Sahara Force India because it’s a team where I feel very good, but I don’t think so because the two drivers are doing a great job and there is no reason for the team to change them. That’s why it’s complicated, but we’re not there yet, there are still many races, a lot of time before the next season, so it’s up to me to do a good job, to focus on 2012 and my role as a third driver, and then we’ll see about the rest.
If you can’t get into F1 next year, what do you plan to do? Another season of World Series?
No, I haven’t thought about it. I’m still in the World Series Championship and it is still very long, the F1 season is not even halfway through, I haven’t thought about it at all, but I hope that if I don’t have a main seat next year, I could do another season as a third driver and try to get a main seat in 2014.
From our special correspondent in Silverstone.
