GP2 Feature - Alex Premat Interview
14/07/2006
Alex Premat, who won a brilliant race at Barcelona earlier in the year and now lies third in the GP2 points standings, is aiming to fly the flag for his country this weekend at his home GP2 race.
"I am feeling really strong," says Premat. "I have had a very productive few weeks since the last race at Silverstone, although it feels like I haven't driven for ages!
"I did some really useful set-up work at the GP2 test at Paul Ricard last month and discovered a few things that I hope will make a difference during the second half of the season. I've also worked very hard on my physical preparation for the race, so I'm feeling very confident."
Premat's team, ART Grand Prix, won at Magny Cours last year with Nico Rosberg, so they know how to set up their cars for the 4.4-kilometre track. As does Premat, who did a lot of his racing in the junior formulas at the track, which lies in the heart of Burgundy country.
"You need good braking stability there," he says. "And traction is also important out of the slow corners, particularly at the end of the lap. Overall, it's a good track and one at which it's possible to risk a few things as a driver because there are lots of run-off areas."
From a Bridgestone tyre perspective, Magny Cours offers a unique challenge. The surface is very flat, which allows teams to drop the ride heights of their Dallara cars, and the asphalt is also very dark, which can lead to very high track temperatures if the sun is shining. This can lead to excess wear unless the drivers manage their tyres properly.
GP2 hasn't tested at the track this year, which will give the drivers only the opening half-hour of free practice on Friday morning in which to hone their set-ups. Experience will count for a lot, which is why Alex Premat - who is in his second year of F1 - could be the man to take the spoils.
"I hope you are right," he says. "I am only 10 points behind Nelson Piquet in the Championship, so I need to move forward this weekend."