Fabio Leimer Q&A

With the GP2 Series now well and truly underway, Swiss driver Fabio Leimer has had a highly competitive opening six races. The Racing Engineering driver has finished in the points in all but one of the six races so far, and currently resides 5th in the Drivers’ Championship with 41 points.

Entering his third season in GP2, with two race victories under his belt, Fabio Leimer explains his aims and ambitions in 2012, as well as who he thinks are the drivers’ to beat in GP2 this year.

Q: After two very competitive seasons in GP2, do you believe 2012 will be an even better year for you, in terms of race victories and possibly even the title?

Fabio Leimer: Yes, for sure. I was not happy with last year and when I started to drive for Racing Engineering, I saw instantly that everything works well and the entire team is motivated to do a great 2012 season. At the moment we can see that we are consistent at the front, but I think we can still improve quite a bit, which is good and important.

Q: With Davide Valsecchi making a dominant start to the Championship, do you see him as the man to beat in 2012? Are their other drivers’ you are wary of in 2012?

FL: Right now, for sure. He is a quick driver in a quick car. I think it is really hard to beat him at the moment, but everything can change really quickly and we still have the potential to improve. I think Gutierrez and Razia are next to Davide the strongest drivers in GP2 Series. And my aim is to beat them.

Q: GP2 is visiting some new venues in 2012, with the season finale on the demanding Marina Bay Street circuit in Singapore. Which track are you looking forward to most, and which one are you most confident on?

FL: I am really looking forward to going to the Marina Bay Street Circuit. I haven’t been there before, but on TV the track looks really amazing and I am sure it will be a very demanding track for all GP2 drivers. As for the track I feel most comfortable at, I cannot really tell you, as I like all of them. I am happy we are back in Europe now as I know all race tracks, which will help me a lot.

Q: Is it your career aim to become Switzerland’s 25th Formula 1 driver?

FL: Yes, for sure. My goal is to go to Formula 1. I have to have a good season in GP2 and then I hope I will have the chance to make one step up.

Q: Last season you drove in the Abu Dhabi Young Drivers’ Test for Sauber. Do you have any plans to take part in this year’s Young Drivers’ Test, and if so who with?

FL: At the moment we don’t know. It was a really big moment for me, when I had the chance to drive in Abu Dhabi with the Sauber F1 Team. I have learned a lot, which will help me for the future. We will most probably try to test again during the Young Driver Tests, but it’s too early to talk about it now. And right now my focus is for sure on GP2 and on having the best possible season.

Many thanks to Racing Engineering and Fabio Leimer for the communication and time taken to complete this interview.

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