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Le Mans Racing Magazine (Interview) Andre Lotterer

Originally Posted by Le Mans Racing Magazine (Interview) Andre Lotterer

What was it like when you arrived in Japan?

J"l Became good friends with Eddie Irvine`s manager when Eddie was a Jaguar driver. One day he advised me to go to Japan as Ralph Firman was leaving the Nakajima Racing. The team said to me: Bring your gear for a few months. If the test goes off okay you stay. Romain Dumas and Sebastien Philippe were also after the seat. The team selected me and I rang my girlfriend and told her i was staying. The cars, the circuits and the technical level really impressed me. The Japanese are fairly Cartesian. In motor Racing, they`re a bit more flexible, but you have to get to understand then and be very patient. For me it was no problem. I learned a lot in Japan. In hindsinght I find i`m closer to the Japanese mentality than to the American one for example. People are more genuine and respectful.

Is there a big difference between the GTs and The Formula Nippon cars?

Not really. The GTs are really very quick. They`re real monsters! We use more or less the same tyres so the driving style`s pretty similar. But when i came to race in the prototypes in Europe on Michelisn it was all very different. The GTs are mind-boggling as they have incredible mechanical grip and you ca really go head-to-head and that creates very exciting races.

In the GT races do you tag one another`s cars?

Yes. That's more up Ben's street than mine! But when you have to start nudging, I don't hesitate. The GTs take it in their stride better than the DTMs., although the Japanese don't like seeing that very much.