Five days a week, for an average of three hours per day, working in the gym on my core, neck, arms and shoulders with additional sessions on strength and endurance. I also work on cardio three times per week, which is generally running.

Thanks, Louie. Heel and toe is a saying. What is most important is to do it the way that is easy for you depending on the size of your right foot. I divided my foot in two. Half of the top of my foot is on the brake and applying pressure, then I blip on the throttle with the right half of my foot by using a rotation movement from my ankle. I found it to be the most precise way so I could keep constant pressure on the brake, which is the most important thing.

It’s a great question and a difficult one to answer. Quite frankly, it’s very difficult. Set on-track goals. If the goals are always met, then the kid just may have a future. In terms of sponsorship, it’s wildly competitive out there, as well. I think too many people try to do the same thing and seeking sponsorship is not always the right way to go. I suggest, perhaps, offering something to companies within racing in exchange for money so that you can go racing.

Yes, there is a lot of strategy in IndyCar and it is very important to have a good relationship with your race strategist. Tim Cindric was on the 12 car [driven by Oriol Servià and Will Power] and Kyle Moyer was my strategist this year. Relationship is key, and with Kyle, we had to get to know each other for him to understand what my qualities and weaknesses were and are, so he could focus on putting me in good situations.

Hmm, I don’t know… No, I think I’ll keep my championship and then work on Indy 50

It’s a car that has a lot of rear weight distribution, so there is some rear movement at high speeds. That was the most difficult thing to understand and get used to. The DW12, and with the downforce that we have now, is a car that requires a very high commitment level and you have to be very quick with footwork and hands. Things happen a lot quicker because we brake a lot deeper, carry a ton more speed mid-corner and pick up the throttle a lot sooner than we were in the Panoz.

Yes, it is a shame to see paying drivers taking good seats, but unfortunately society is evolving and being a really complete race car driver is also attractive to become an ambassador of a company and represent brands. In the end, though, the champions always rise to the top one way or another. Money doesn’t buy everything.

There are many tracks here in the United States to focus on. Keep in mind that France alone is the size of Texas. I just think that we need to focus on all of the opportunities and possibilities here in the USA. But, for sure, many tracks in Europe would be cool along with some in South America.

Thanks, Michael. The biggest part of my time is physical training. Five days a week in the offseason is where I generally live, with an average of three hours per day. Mental training is just as important and that’s around an hour a day, five days a week. Chevrolet has a state-of-the-art simulator that we use before race events, and I have a simulator of my own at home that I use quite regularly, as well.

I think The Nissan GT Academy is a tremendous program for unexpected talent. I don’t think it is that easy to go from virtual reality to real life, though. There is a whole different approach to it when it is real life. But I do see and think that you can use virtual reality to prepare better for a racing event.

Yes. I finished second there in 2011, so I have unfinished business. I, however, would want to go back there in a similar environment as I did with Peugeot Sport – with a factory team.

It is a big help, for sure. It helps to keep the ship in line and having more information available if there is something that needs improvement. It also raises the level of competition.

I like the formula right now because the cars are fast and demanding physically, but it can be difficult to follow another car with the air disturbance. I think something to work on might be making sure the car drafts really well. If it does that, then passing will happen

No, we are not underrated within the industry. Top-level drivers are always top-level drivers. I believe that a top IndyCar driver and a top F1 driver are just as good, but the area of expertise is different.

When it comes to my business, I’m very pragmatic. When I grew up I was a hyperactive kid and I used to crash into a lot of things. At 18, I was looking at ways to improve myself as a driver. Like every athlete or human being, the brain is the main central processor for any action we may take. So I decided to find ways to improve my brain and I thought meditation was going to be the best way.

Yes, NASCAR is definitely something I would like to try, but after my IndyCar career. I also want to participate in the World Rally Championship someday as it is my true passion.

It depends how old you are. A kid should probably start in karting or Midgets. If you are older than 18, I would look at entering the Class B events. Cars like a Ford Fiesta or a Honda FIT are really affordable and reliable. You can go racing with a very reasonable budget and not too much mechanical preparation.

I have had the same thing happen. At the beginning of my career, when I was 16, I lost the brake at the end of a long straight and my head hit the guardrail in the crash. It took me several years to get my confidence back, but I think I could have done a better job. Gaining confidence is a mental approach. It takes a lot of discipline and the guidance of a mental trainer. It’s impossible to do it yourself and to know how to effectively train mentally. So I would suggest seeing a mental trainer within the sports industry. Physically, follow the instructions from the doctors and connect your doctor with your trainer to make sure they have you doing the right exercises. Best of luck to you and hang in there. It’s a process, for sure.

I’d like a 1.5-mile oval such as Charlotte or Texas.

Thanks, Don. In my opinion, it’s the inside lane because you reduce the distance a lot more that way.