Alessio Picariello: Interview with the champion

• Alessio Picariello wins title four races before season’s end
• New record: The ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg eV driver has led the overall standings since the first race of the season
• Picariello: “The championship is a very important step in my career”

What were your first thoughts in the second race at the Slovakia Ring when you realised that you had won the championship?
Alessio Picariello: I saw my team-mate Maximilian Günther stuck in the gravel and knew that I was now champion. I was, of course, very happy but remained focused on the race. It was very important to me to win the championship with a top-rung finish on the podium, and consequently, all thoughts about the title had to wait until the end of the race.

You immediately threw your arms up in the air after crossing the finish line. Was it a great relief to have secured the title?
Alessio Picariello: It was a great moment and a very important step in my motor racing career. I already had a big lead in the championship and therefore the pressure was off to some extent, but I still felt relieved. Now, I can feel more relaxed about tackling the last three races of the season at the Hockenheimring, think about my future and endeavour to find the right way forwards.

What were the reactions of those around you after you had won the title?
Alessio Picariello: I’ve received a lot of SMS messages from family and friends – but that’s probably just the beginning. My Facebook page will certainly be full of posts in the coming days. My mechanic Sven was also very happy, definitely. He wanted to win the title as much as me and I’m very pleased for him. We get along really well and he has always supported me. My father is also very happy for me. I would imagine that he was perhaps quite overcome with emotion.

You are the first Formel ADAC champion to have led the standings from the first race of the season to the last. Do you regard that as something special?
Alessio Picariello: It’s always nice to break records. I also know that with a total of twelve victories I’m just about to set a new Formel ADAC record, and that’s my goal in the final three races at Hockenheim. It’s always useful when you win a title in a junior series to do it by setting a new record or by doing something really special. That way, you leave a lasting impression which can have a positive effect on the future.

You have achieved ten victories and won the championship with four races remaining this season. What has made you so formidable this year?
Alessio Picariello: There’s no real mystery. This year, I’ve been able to prepare properly in advance of the season and take part in testing, which, unfortunately, has not always been possible in the past. In addition, I have the right team around me with good engineers and mechanics to give support. The atmosphere is excellent and the mood is always relaxed, so I feel nice and calm and good about myself when I go out onto the race track.

What did you learn in the Formel ADAC during 2013?
Alessio Picariello: That my greatest strength is in the race. I set myself a goal before the start and often succeed in achieving it, for example, a certain position. Once the lights go out at the start, my mental attitude changes and I give my all. I also made great progress in qualifying this year and considerably improved my speed on a hot lap. While I’m not always the fastest, my performance is usually good enough to give me a decent grid position for the races. Besides, I go into races in a more relaxed frame of mind as compared to my first season last year. Previously, I was only interested in achieving wins, but I now know that it is sometimes better to secure safe points, rather than risk not finishing.

You are the new Formel ADAC Champion, but what plans do have for next season?
Alessio Picariello: I would like to compete in the Formula 3 European Championship in 2014, but as always, it’s a question of the budget. I’ve had requests from teams in various racing series to join them, but I have to find a way of financing my future in motor racing.

You are only the second driver to have won the title in the Formel ADAC with Mücke Motorsport. Your predecessor was Pascal Wehrlein in 2011. He is now the youngest driver ever in the DTM. Would that be an option for you?
Alessio Picariello: I imagine that contesting the DTM would definitely be a possibility, for sure. I would most certainly accept an offer, because the DTM is a springboard into Formula 1 in the future. My aim, however, is to remain in single-seater racing for the moment. If I cannot see any other way forward, then of course, I’ll think about the various options.