Wednesday, April 18th 2007, 13:41 GMT
Conducted and provided by Adam Carroll's press office.
Q. What have you been doing since the end of the GP2 season and how did DTM come about?
Adam Carroll: I can't believe it but it has been eight months since my last race! GP2 finished at the beginning of September although I have driven plenty of cars since then. I took four weeks off from training and got hard back into it when we started looking at Champ Car.
I went to the Champ Car races in the US and Australia before being announced as the reserve driver for RuSPORT in Mexico at the last round of the season. I also had several successful tests with RuSPORT and Forsythe Championship Racing too. Then in late December I got a phone call from Dr Colin Kolles who asked if I'd be interested in DTM. The tests went well and here I am!
Q. Why did you decide to go to DTM?
AC: I had done two years in GP2 and unless you are with a top team then it is completely pointless. GP2 is a feeder series and it takes a lot of money to be in a position to win races. It is no secret that I have always struggled for budget. DTM is a professional series with manufacturers in it and I am happy to be part of a competitive, high profile championship.
Q. How has testing been going?
AC: I have been happy with how testing has gone. The car has been running well and I've had several days at different circuits.
Q. How different is it driving the DTM Audi to the other cars you've raced?
AC: Apart from the fact this one has a roof the principals are the same really! When you first get into the car it is strange. You sit really far back and the vision seems bad with the roof and windscreen pillars. Also you can't see your wheels; normally you can see when you lock-up and can exactly place the edge of the car. It just took a few laps to get used to it all. The Audi has very good downforce, grip and brakes well too.
Q. What is the biggest challenge this year?
AC: I always go out to do the best possible job and give 100% with the team and equipment that I have. We want to beat the other 2005 cars and if everything goes well then I think we could give the 2006 cars a surprise some days too.
Q. There are other British drivers in the field, what do you know of your competitors?
AC: I have actually raced against eight other people in DTM right from the age of 13 in go karts, to GP2 last year. I raced against Gary Paffett when I was 13, I had others as competitors in F3 and I raced against Alex Premat in GP2 for the past two years.
Q. What does it mean to be associated with a manufacturer like Audi?
AC: Audi has always been an innovator in world motor sport, from the Quattro in rallying to the diesel winning at Le Mans, so I'm proud to be associated with them. Even as a child I always loved the make and now to race one is great.
