Justin Wilson Q&A
Justin Wilson landed his dream drive at the beginning of 2003 when he finally became a Formula 1 driver with Minardi. Now, just 11 races later he has done enough for Jaguar Racing to sign him in place of Brazilian Antonio Pizzonia for the remainder of the season. In just five races he has to prove that his hard-earned reputation is all that its worth and that he belongs in a manufacturer team as his predecessor has failed to do. The British rookie spoke to Simon Strang after competing in his first home grand prix at Silverstone

"It's a new circuit to me and it's a new car so I just have to learn. I have to see how things go. It would be nice to do something but I have got to take things one step at a time and keep taking strides forward."
"I believe I can get in and go pretty quick in most things, but in F1 that's not always good enough. I need to try and learn as much as possible and take in everything that's being told to me. Not only is the car different but the tyres are different as well. How you treat those tyres is going to be important and that's something else I have to learn. There is lots to take on."
"Every driver wants to beat his team-mate. I know how competitive Mark is and I think he has scored 12 world championship points so far. Trying to beat him is going to be very tough."
"No but realistically I just want to finish as close as I can to him and hopefully he will be in the points and I will be right behind collecting more points for the team. I'm not expecting that to happen but I'm hoping that that does happen."
"No. They obviously want me to perform as well as possible. I want to be as close to Mark as I can be. After all I am out there trying to prove my place as an F1 driver."
"I don't know why he struggled to be honest and I don't want to get into that really. I just want to try and do the best job I can and focus from all the positive sides from my end and just keep working away at it. I'm not even going to go into why he failed or even guess."
"The Minardi contract was a one-year contract with an option so in that respect there is no difference. I still have to perform and prove myself for the following year.
"There is always pressure. Whether it's from other people or even myself. Ideally I want to win, maybe not this year, but I want to score points. I don't think I'm going to win a race this year but hopefully I'm going to be more competitive."
"Yes there is a big difference in the teams. No disrespect to Minardi, we know why they can't employ the same amount of people and have the same infrastructure. Jaguar is very clear how it is set out and very clean and precise in its procedures. That is what you would expect from a big and very good engineering company."
"I won't be able to tell that until after I have done a race with them to be honest. I'm guessing that will be the case but to say that now would be wrong. I need to see how a weekend goes and see how I fit in."
"It's a step in the right direction as far as myself and my shareholders are concerned. It's a more competitive car and there is a possibility of a future there. It is not guaranteed."
"Yes, I guess if the team were looking to take me on for next year we could arrange something. I do have to think of the investors at the end of the day as well as myself. We have got to see how things go. The main thing for me right now is to prove that I belong with Jaguar."
"It was actually not too bad because of all the uncertainty and lots of different rumours flying around, the only thing I could do was say that I didn't know anything and just get on with my job. I knew some things were going on but I didn't really know any details. That was all down to my manager Jonathan Palmer who organised it and I just had to make sure that I did the best job I could that weekend."

Mosley Urges BRDC to Accept 'Blinding' Deal
Wilson: Protester only just missed death

Latest news
How studying Schumacher helped make Coulthard a McLaren F1 mainstay
Winner of 13 grands prix including Monaco and survivor of a life-changing plane crash, David Coulthard could be forgiven for having eased into a quiet retirement – but, as MARK GALLAGHER explains, in fact he’s busier than ever, running an award-winning media company and championing diversity in motor racing. Not bad for someone who, by his own admission, wasn’t quite the fastest driver of his generation…
How Red Bull found more downforce for Hungary
Red Bull initially feared it would be on the back foot at Formula 1’s Hungarian Grand Prix, with the team seemingly less comfortable at high downforce circuits than previous years.
Russell: Hungary pole justifies faith in Mercedes F1 car concept
George Russell believes Mercedes’ pole position and double podium finish in Hungary last weekend justifies its decision to stick with its current Formula 1 car concept.
Alpine confident it will beat Aston Martin while Alonso is there
Alpine Formula 1 boss Otmar Szafnauer believes that his team can continue to outperform Aston Martin during Fernando Alonso’s tenure at the Silverstone squad when he switches camps for 2023.
How studying Schumacher helped make Coulthard a McLaren F1 mainstay
Winner of 13 grands prix including Monaco and survivor of a life-changing plane crash, David Coulthard could be forgiven for having eased into a quiet retirement – but, as MARK GALLAGHER explains, in fact he’s busier than ever, running an award-winning media company and championing diversity in motor racing. Not bad for someone who, by his own admission, wasn’t quite the fastest driver of his generation…
Could F1 move to a future beyond carbonfibre?
Formula 1 has ambitious goals for improving its carbon footprint, but could this include banishing its favoured composite material? PAT SYMONDS considers the alternatives to carbonfibre and what use, if any, those materials have in a Formula 1 setting
How Russell has proven he deserves to be Hamilton's Mercedes heir
He’s fast, he’s smart, and he’s already shown he’s not going to let Max Verstappen intimidate him. George Russell won’t say it, but LUKE SMITH says he’s ready to take the lead at Mercedes when Lewis Hamilton moves on to a quieter life. And – whisper it – Mercedes and Lewis are starting to think so too
The traits that fuelled Alonso's unexpected Aston Martin move
Fernando Alonso’s bombshell switch to Aston Martin sent shockwaves through Formula 1, not least at Alpine that finds itself tangled in a contract standoff with Oscar Piastri. Not shy of a bold career move and with a CV punctuated by them, there were numerous hints that trouble was brewing
The elements Ferrari must resolve to first save face, then win championships
OPINION: Ferrari's Formula 1 title hopes look all but over after another strategic blunder in last week's Hungarian Grand Prix denied Charles Leclerc the chance to fight for victory, while handing it to chief rival Max Verstappen. The Scuderia now faces intense scrutiny over what it must now do to finally become a genuine factor in championship battles
The clues about Hamilton’s F1 retirement plans revealed after Vettel’s decision
OPINION: Sebastian Vettel is set to leave Formula 1 at the end of 2022 and will, rather shockingly, be replaced by Fernando Alonso at Aston Martin. But what about the final chapter of the other driver that defined the post-Michael Schumacher era? In Hungary, Lewis Hamilton spoke about his future in the context of Vettel’s upcoming departure, which offered clues on how long it will last
Why all signs point to F1’s Monaco special relationship continuing
OPINION: With more potential venues than there are slots in future calendars, rumours have been circulating that the Monaco Grand Prix could be a casualty of F1’s expansion into new markets. But MARK GALLAGHER thinks this is highly unlikely
Hungarian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2022
The Hungarian Grand Prix race result, after a dry race held without safety car conditions, bore little resemblance to what was anticipated after qualifying. While certain drivers were nullified by some iffy strategy calls, others shone to grasp opportunities afforded to them in the last F1 race before the summer break