Written by member: Goose
My seasonal blog this time round comes in the form of my segment I’ve been doing this season. I’ve tried my best to load chat got with a bit of info and asked for questions based on my other Talk of The Paddock blogs. So here it is. I’ve also added a seasonal video to the bottom that I’ve worked on so give that a look if you have a minute.
Four championships in a row — when you look back at this season, where does this one rank compared to the other three?
2nd. There’s only one things going to top title 2 of 11 wins out of 12 and this wasn’t it. It is always good to get the trophies over the line though.
You wrapped the title up having raced 11 of the 12 events, taking 9 wins along the way — did this feel like your most controlled season yet?
Other than rain induced havoc in china, and maybe a ludicrous attempt to come from the back of the grid in Brazil I’d say it was pretty controlled. But there’s always room for more.
Seven pole positions is a huge statement. How important was qualifying pace to setting the tone for your dominance this year?
If I wasn’t on pole I was second and that’s the real importance. If I can’t drive off into the sunset then I best get pressure on the leader and I think that’s been key.
You also picked up seven fastest laps, showing you weren’t just managing races but pushing right to the end. Was that a conscious mindset shift?
Foot to the floor, rinse and repeat. I’d like to think it’s something someone chasing would see through the race and get affected by.
233 points in an 11-race campaign is an extraordinary return. At what point did you realise the championship was firmly in your hands?
Had other people finished in certain positions in Austria I could have won it. So going into that I was hopeful, but to then win it in Monaco felt really special.
There was one race you didn’t take the start in, but the championship was already sealed — how strange was it watching from the sidelines knowing the job was done?
I actually enjoyed it. Knowing there was no pressure and could race, or not, at my leisure was a great feeling.
With nine wins from eleven starts, consistency has clearly been the foundation. What was the key behind maintaining that level across such a condensed season?
I just have this knack of being able to switch off and lock in. I’ve also said from day dot that concentration is always key and I feel it’s something I never waver on.
This fourth title puts you into a very exclusive group in the sport. Do you feel this championship changes how you’re viewed — or how you view yourself?
The 1st thing I did was post the Verstappen 4 image from vegas. It’s a good feeling. Particularly while contemplating if I’m going to go for 5.
We’ve seen pressure break even the best drivers chasing records. How did you mentally approach the possibility of making history this season?
One session at a time. One quali at a time and one race at a time.
Across the season, was there a single race or moment where you felt the title momentum really swung in your favour?
Not really. I won the opening 2 and had a mini disaster in china but then won the preceding 3 races from there and didn’t look back
How much of this success comes down to the relationship with your team, and how strong has that trust been during such a dominant run?
I’ve been with HAAS now for a very long time, I’m faster in a HAAS than I am in so called better cars.
It’s been no secret I’ve been trying to get a change of scenery in the garage but they just aren’t for budging on letting me go.
You’ve been the benchmark for four straight years now — what drives you to keep finding that extra edge when you’re already on top?
11 out of 12 isn’t as good as 12 out of 12
Finally, standing here as a four-time consecutive AG F1 champion, what does this moment mean to you personally?
I am proud of my achievements here on AG. In those 4 mentioned seasons, including driver of the day, races and championships I’ve racked up 43 trophies. Which is always motivation. There’s a leaderboard somewhere that you can see the people with the most. Maybe that’s the benchmark. But who knows. There may be a break coming in my near future m, there may not be so that might have to be on hold.