Fisico did an
interview for Romanews.eu that is partially about his new book. Translation follows:
Romanews Exclusive: Fisichella: "He has been exceptional. That's why I chose Florenzi for the foreword"
By Alessandro Tagliaboschi-
Thursday 15/11/2018-9:29
Exclusive Romanews: From the track to the bookstores. It is Giancarlo Fisichella's path, former Formula 1 driver currently in the Endurance World Championship, in bookshops from November 6 with "Il profumo dell’asfalto", written together with Carlo Baffi and with the preface by Alessandro Florenzi. A cross-section of the world's most important racing car championship, with stories of rivals and eras for fans of four wheels. Giancarlo Fisichella, at the microphone of Romanews.eu, wanted to explain his book, without forgetting to speak of his other great love: Roma, always his heart's team.
What prompted you to write a book that is not your own biography, but a story about Formula 1?
"I did not do an autobiography, true, but a story of some events that happened in Formula 1, also talking about such competitors as Schumacher, Senna, the 1930s drivers, Enzo Ferrari, a 360° story to make Formula 1 better-known and current for those who do not know it."
What do you miss most about Formula 1?
"I still do not regret it so much because I'm still running in the Endurance World Championship and for me it's a good time: from 2010, I'm doing this other category, as soon a I was done with Formula 1. F1 is like Serie A, it's the maximum for every driver. After giving the maximum for 14 years and 231 Grand Prix, it really begins to be tough after many years – I stopped at 37 – the commitments I had in F1 and on the track, were no longer a fun but quite hard and intense. Going to do these races is a lot more relaxing.
The pilot you'd compare yourself to now?
"I don't know, it's hard to say. Each one has its own character method, driving style, today there are really good riders and high level."
How did the idea of having the preface written to Florenzi begin?
"I've known him Alessandro for a few years, we have met a few times and I do not know why, I could ask many people, even Totti, but I see him as being like me, one who came from nothing, who grew up and arrived in Serie A to play with his heart's team. He immediately accepted, this made me very happy. Part of the proceeds will go to Telethon, Alessandro's testimony particularly kept [I'm not sure how to translate the last phrase]".
Fisichella, did you follow Roma while you were on the track?
"When we were racing and Roma was playing at the same time, I could not ask for the result on the radio, but as soon as I got out of the car I was informed immediately. Then if they played in the evening or at a time where I was free I never missed it."
A moment in your career linked to Roma?
"When I was doing a race at Zeltweg, which is near Kapfenberg where Roma was on retreat in the year of the Scudetto of Mister Capello and through Francesco Totti we knew one another, the whole team came to see qualifying and then, in the evening, I went to the retreat in return. It was a beautiful day, they had come mostly to be with me. A beautiful day, I was very happy. "
How do you judge the current Roma?
"As a football fan, I would say that last year's season was really more than positive. Francesco in his first year managed to bring the same Roma to remake the Champions and bring it to the semifinals of the European competition, beating Barcelona and bieng within a shred of the final. I'd say it was awesome. This year the team fluctuates a lot, in the Champions as well as last year, but in the league too many ups and downs: you are likely to win against Napoli, triumph in the Derby, but then lose with Spal, Equeggia with Chievo and this is not good. I hope that the game with Sampdoria has unlocked something, found the right way, because you have to recover the land in the league: we are not well placed to get to fourth place and then to the Champions League next year.
A regret of your F1 career? And a supporter of Roma?
"There are many regrets for mistakes and choices made, it is obvious that I would dream to become a world champion, I missed this, but I have been many years in Formula 1, I was a Ferrari pilot and still am in Endurance. I've never been one who looks back, it was what it was. For Roma, without a doubt the Champions on penalties, you came up to there in the final, the rigors and losing it in the house was hard. I was little, but it was hard."