Audi-man Alexandre Prémat

Audi-man Alexandre Prémat completed his second Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters-season this year, finishing tenth and becoming the best 2007-spec Audi-driver. Prémat made a strong second part of the season, with a podium finish during his home race at Le Mans as the high point. TouringCarTimes met up with the Frenchman and had a chat about his progress in the German championship with Audi.

How was the final race at Hockenheim for you?

“It was not an easy race! I had a lot of problems with traffic. I had a small accident in the motodrom, after that I had big problems with my car. But I was very happy that Timo won the championship for Audi. We are a team and this win is very important for all of us.”

How was your second season in DTM?

“Well, this season was pretty nice, like the year before. The high point was definitively the podium finish at Le Mans, my home race. It was also very nice to be the best Audi-driver of a 2007 specification car. At the beginning I had a lot of pressure from Oliver Jarvis. He made a very good job in his first season in DTM. But in the end I was able to beat him.”

Is it hard to motivate your self for a full season when driving a older car?

“For sure, it is very hard some times. Without motivation you can’t drive on the very limit and you can’t push yourself. Sometimes it is really frustrating but it is interesting to drive against the other 2007 specification cars. The main thing is to understand the car. Have a look at Christijan Albers or Gary Paffett. Two or three years ago they won races and fought for the title. It is a difficult situation for them as well.”

What do you think about the progress of DTM and the fact that there are “only” two manufacturers present?

“Well, it is difficult to only have two manufacturers. It would be much better for all of us to have three or four manufacturers. The costs are much higher for Audi and Mercedes. At times we have eight drivers that can win races, but sometimes we only have four or five drivers in the top. My wish is to see 20 cars of the same year specification next season. But this is impossible because of the costs.”

What is your plan for 2009?

“I don’t know at the moment. It depends on the Audi Motorsport-program. I have a contract with Audi for 2009. I had a lot of fun with R10 TDI. But I definitively hope that I can get a new car in a works team in DTM. It would be hard to win the championship, but I am sure that I could do a very good job!”

Will you get some time off during the winter?

“My wife and I got a child the week before the DTM-finale. I want to spend so much time as I can with them. But there also some events for Audi in France and other countries over the winter. For example, we went to Los Angeles in the US for Audi to promote a new commercial spot. In addition to that every professional racing driver has to do a lot of fitness. But I am not complaining, I have a very interesting life!”