Do you consider Baku to be almost a home race for you in some ways?
SA: “It is not really a home race for me but it is home ground for my long-time sponsor Lukoil, as its owner, Mr. Vaguit Alekperov, was born in Azerbaijan. So, for me it is really important to show good pace there, and to have a good performance. I think that Azeri people would be glad to see us on top of the podium, and fighting for the title in the Pro-Am category. The people there know the red and white colors of our Mercedes, and they will definitely follow us for that!”
What about street circuits. Do you enjoy them?
“Street circuits are a good experience, maybe a little bit difficult at the last stage of a championship because it is still going to be a little bit of a gamble, but overall it is going to be a beautiful event at Baku, I am sure! I know that it is going to be well organised too, with it being a world event, so it will be even more impressive. Last year it was the first time I had driven a Mercedes SLS GT3, and my teammate was the great Bernd Schneider! It was a great experience but in 2013 it will be even better if Andreas (Simonsen) and I win the title!”
It is a new track this year and will be quicker, which should suit you in the HTP Gravity Charouz Mercedes?
“It will suit other cars too but yes it should definitely suit the Mercedes as well. I am sure that it is going to be a good event all-round and I hope it is going to be sunny for the spectators. I cannot wait to be in Baku again as it is such a vibrant and modern city.”
Do you know the city of Baku well?
“The old city is absolutely beautiful, one of the most historic places in the former Soviet Union and you can see a lot of old buildings. From my point of view, I think that it is a great experience for European people to see the different sides of the country. It is a beautiful place and it reflects the growth of the country perfectly.”
Going to a new country that does not have a motorsport industry it must be nice to be the pioneers, to go there and put some roots down?
“Yes, it is going to be a proper step up and already a lot of people are asking me questions about the event. People are looking forward to the race and seeing more about the country of Azerbaijan. I do hope that it will also come to Russia one day. We have Moscow Raceway, and we are going to have the Sochi circuit and other circuits too. We can see that the motorsport industry is growing, and bring something like FIA GT Series racing there will develop the exposure and understanding of racing in general.”
So, what would mean for you guys to win the championship?
“For me it is my first real year in GT Racing, and I think that it is a proper way of beginning. Andreas is going for his second season, his first season was a hard fight, he was a bit unlucky and this year I am his ‘lucky mascot’.
It is important to bring the team together and have a close relationship with everyone. My team mate and I get on really well; I even took Andreas to Odessa But, as they say, what happens in Odessa stays in Odessa!”