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In F1 too many things overshadow the racing. There is too much politics.

In 1982 when I showed up, the average age of the drivers in the series was something like 40, 41. The crowds were small. There was not much prize money. The competition wasn't very tight.

As a driver you enjoy winning races, and if you win in the easiest way possible, fine, but in reality we all remember the fights to the end, the nip and tuck stuff.

A racing driver has to be a good driver.

From today I am no longer a racing driver. I'm retired and I am very happy.

I drove long distances like the 24 hours of Le Mans for years. But even this racing is now over. I retired.

Racing has reached the point where it is pricing the young driver, no matter his talent, out of the game.

And luckily, therefore the good old days return. The traditional art of driving counts again, and it is all about good tactics, skills and reflexes instead of simple power.

I was quite emotional when I finished my lap, but had to wait for other drivers to cross the line to hear whether I'd actually done it. It feels very special, but I acknowledge that the old master, Nigel Mansell, took his 14 poles from only 16 races.

With half the race gone, there is half the race still to go.