Well, yes! The first season I was very quick. I would sometimes make the wrong judgement at the first turn of a race. That judgement takes two or three tenths of a second. They key questions was to understand, why?
Why was I making the wrong decision? Why was I compromising my race and other people’s race at the first corner? From there I moved on. It was quite interesting for me to go through that process. It was a tough time but I learned a lot and it’s helped get me to where I am today.

SAFEisFAST video: The Mental Edge

I’ve been seeing a psychologist since September 2012 and Spa-Francorchamps.  It has helped me a lot to become a better driver, a better father and a better man.  We use engineers to set-up the car and we use coaches to improve our physical performance.  Why wouldn’t you use a psychologist to improve your brain and the way it works?  That’s why I did it.

It really depends. There is the routine for a race day which you tend to follow all the time. There are a few occasions where you want to be outside and maybe having a chat and a bit of a laugh, but there are other occasions where you just want to be on your own. I quite like to sit down for the last minute before I jump in the car at the side of the track. I like to be as quiet as I can.

SAFEisFAST Video: Focus and Concentration

Well thanks for the ‘Go Haas!’ first, that’s cool. You get used to g-forces by training and by doing more driving. I’m pretty sure that every time you take a high-speed corner you’re not really breathing anymore. Your cardiovascular system has to be really strong in order to recover as quickly as you can.

SAFEisFAST Video: Fitness Overview

I think, to be fair, the best thing you can do is to look at the data. Looking at data with an engineer will help you to understand what to do and how to improve yourself.

SAFEisFAST Video: The Fast Line

I do a lot of cycling, a lot of running and I play tennis. Those are the main cardio routines for me.

SAFEisFAST Video: Driver Workout Overview

It’s not always easy. I’m lucky that when I’m home I get to spend some time with my kids and my family. But then yes, I’m away a lot. That has to be the hardest part of the job, especially with things like back-to-back races where you’re really far from your loved ones, you’re gone for two weeks. That said, there aren’t many jobs that in the winter allow you to spend three months with your family.

There are a lot of recommendations I could go through here but my best advice would be for you to enjoy the day and enjoy driving a Formula One car. It is an amazing experience!

It’s a bit too early to be thinking about it. I’m with Haas F1 Team, it’s a brand new project which is working very well. I’m focused on making it as successful as we can.

Training, doing some social media, interviews and media work. I cook for the kids and pick them up from the day-care. We hang out and I have a lot of fun with them. I go to bed early though as sleep is vital for me.

I love Suzuka. I’m really looking forward to going back there.

I have lots of music that’s coming from Deezer, my on-demand playlist provider.

I think it’s the passion. The passion for racing, the passion for being a competitor, the passion for pushing yourself to the limit.

SAFEisFAST Videos: Karts to Cars What it Takes to Become a Champion

I try to follow a sleep plan. I try to get in the zone as early as possible. There are some races that are easier than others, China for example is always a tough one. Let’s see if I can make it easier this year than previous years.

I have to admit that I didn’t do much. I joined the team in September 2015 and the design of the car was already very advanced. Since we’ve put the car on-track, I’ve been able to give more feedback to the engineers but everyone did an amazing job to create the Haas VF-16.

SAFEisFAST Video: Working with an Engineer

You do have to think that you’re going slow in the car, that everything is easy. But, that doesn’t mean that you’re not pushing. Most of the time, when you feel you’re going slow and everything is normal and natural, you’re actually going very fast. It’s a fine line to find!

SAFEisFAST Video: Is Smooth Fast?

Well, I would always say Jules Bianchi. He was a friend of mine and I miss him.

I just love it! It’s the best job in the world.

I would like to go to the 24 Hours of Le Mans. I want to try to win it. I competed there in 2010 in a Ford GT and hopefully I can get back there one day.

For me, Formula One has to be the pinnacle of motorsport. We have to have the best cars in the world. At the moment, the best technology we have is a petrol engine. I like the technology, I like pushing the car to the limit. I like being able to drive the fastest cars in the world.