Sergio Hernández wants a new title in 2009

FIA World Touring Car Championship driver Sergio Hernandez is approaching his first season as a works driver with BMW Team Italy-Spain. In this interview the reigning independents champion talks about his relationship with his new team.
“The team have worked really well so far, we are happy with each other’s way of working. All I have to do is keep on going this way until Macau!” said Hernández.

Being one of the few drivers in the field who have moved from an independent to a works drive, he is well aware of the differences between privateer cars and works car.

“The two are pretty similar, but there are small differences that make the car work a little better in general. The engine is a little better and the experience of the team with the car and the working method mark the difference. Also, we did a lot of testing, which you don’t normally do with an independent team. This is pretty much what makes the works cars slightly better.”

The first race of 2009 is only days away for the Spaniard. His expectations are high for results in the first race and for the title race.

“Of course Seat will be highly competitive during the whole season, but the turbo restrictions they have had to face and the huge improvements on our cars make us think that we can win this weekend, like BMW did back in 2007. As for the championship, I always get into the car thinking about clinching the title. I don’t think I will need more experience, the team, Alex (Zanardi) and I feel we have the speed to win the championship.”

Having left his previous independent team, Proteam, after a title-winning season in 2008, Hernández has only sweet words for his former team.

“I can’t pay enough tribute in words to them. 2008 has been a fantastic season and winning the title was not only down to my speed but also to the fact that the team was great, both last year and in 2007. I think of them everyday and I can’t find a way to thank them properly for what they did for me.”

His relationship with previous team mate Luca Rangoni during 2007 was very important according to Hernández:

“Luca is a very fast as a driver. He was a hard team mate to relate with because of his speed, he was just unreachable in qualifying. As a person, though, he’s a fantastic guy, he’s a real friend and was a huge help in my maiden season.”

Even though he has left the independents class, Hernández is following the class closely for the 2009 season.

“You can’t really pick one as a favourite for the title. Of course Porteiro is really fast but Coronel and D’Aste will be strong, too. It’s really hard to say who will win the title this year.”

After a good career in single seaters, with his highlight being the GP2 season in 2006, Hernández joined WTCC in 2007, winning the championship last year with Proteam ahead of Franz Engstler and claiming a stunning overall podium finish in Okayama with his independent BMW 320si.

The interview was done in co-operation with stopandgo.tv.