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End of Season interview

09.08.2014 - Q: How did you feel your season has gone?

Robert: Overall I feel it's been quite successful. Not everything has gone right, but there are more than enough to be positive about.

Q: Are you still happy that you choose to compete in the F3 Oceania Series?

Robert: Definitely! As soon as my manager suggested that it might be best to race in the F3 Oceania Series, I was encouraging him to let me race their as I've always wanted to spend some time in Australia and New Zealand. We're certainly done that, choosing to focus on races here rather than going all over the world. We managed to hit all of our targets for the season so, although it should have been better, we feel that this season has been a success.

Q: What do you feel is you biggest achievement?

Robert: That's a tough one. Although I achieved my best ever result {for a series} of 2nd in the Marathon Cup XXV, I feel that my average qualifying position of just over 5th in the F3 Oceania Series is the thing I am most proud of. It shows that I have some good speed when I need it. I just need to translate that into race pace as I can sometimes create a 'Trulli train'. Hopefully I'll be able to get some more pole positions in the F3 Oceania Series next year.

Q: So you're staying in the F3 Oceania Series next year then?

Robert: I feel that's best. We have some experience at these tracks and if we iron out some of the errors {we have had}, we can push on next season.

Q: And what are you most disappointed about this season?

Robert: It has to be the number of retirements that I've had in the F3 Oceania Series. Six is far too many and most of them have thrown away good positions between 4th and 7th, so I could have had my first F3 Oceania Series podium. If I had a couple less {retirements}, I would have finished 8th rather than 10th overall. So it is something I am working on and hopefully I can cut that number down to two or three next season.

Q: So what are your targets for next season?

Robert: I'd like to come between 6th and 8th in the F3 Oceania Series and continue to impress sponsors. They're the main targets. Other than that, I think I'll be travelling more so I can get some experience on other circuits and I'll be trying to make myself a better driver.

Q: Do you feel that you're a better driver now, and how so?

Robert: I've definitely improved during the season and I would have hoped so, after all {the money} I've spent on gym costs! I mean spending over 500,000 in gym costs in a year is extortionate! But I've been told that if I want to compete with the best, I have to pay the best. So yeah, my fitness has improved a lot. I've also been trying to improve my concentration and other skills which will make me more reliable. We'll continue with this training until the contract of my fantastic coach Siarhei Klimenka runs out. Then I feel we may have to part ways as I feel I need to get a little more speed.