Michael [Schumacher] was a phenomenal driver but for me, Ayrton Senna was the greatest ever. If I could get one world championship that would be great; if I could win three, the same number as Ayrton did, that would be a dream. But I want to be the best driver there has ever been.

It is actually quite exciting when you're flying headfirst into a barrier — the initial part, the initial part is actually quite fun, especially when you hit the gravel trap and you get some air, and then you see it coming and you think 'erk — it's gonna hurt!'

You just need to be accepted for who you are and be proud of who you are and that is what I'm trying to do.

I don't know if you've ever been skiing, but if you go to the slope you'll see all these kids fearlessly zooming by. It's only when we get older that fear creeps in. But for me, it just never has. And when it comes to racing, it's always about who is willing to go further, who is willing to take that extra step. I'm willing to take any amount of pain to win. I'm hungry like you.

What people tend to forget is the journey that I had getting to Formula One. There were plenty of years where I had to learn about losing and having bad races.

I was born to race and to win.

I was trying to control myself because I wanted to just park the car and jump out and do cartwheels. The next dream is to win the world championship.