Hot Seat
with Ukyo Katayama - Minardi.
F1 Racing, June 1997.

Q: What was the first car you ever owned?
A: A 10-year-old Toyota Corolla.

Q: What car do you own now?
A: I don't. I drive my father Mini Cooper, I had an Austin A35, but I sold it. Now I'm looking for a Morris Minor.

Q: What's the fastest you've ever been on the road?
A: That's a secret! Well, okay, I did 330km/h in a Ferrari F40 in Japan.

Q: What's your most embarrassing moment?
A: When I was asked in a press conference: what is the worst practical joke I've had played on me? I thought I'd been asked what was the worst joke I'd ever heard, so I said it was the elephant talking to the snake in the jungle, who said: "Hello snake, you've got strange skin and no ears, you must be Niki Lauda"!

Q: What is your favourite circuit?
A: Silverstone. I like Suzuka, Spa and Monza as well, all the high-speed places. I hate Mickey Mouse tracks.

Q: Have you ever smoked?
A: Yes. I have a few cigarettes each year - three of four times - when I'm really stressed. After I lost my elder sister I smoked. And at Spa in 1995, when I was in fourth position and then spun off, I smoked then too.

Q: Do you like fast food?
A: I eat it sometimes, but not too often.

Q: Are drivers paid too much?
A: I've no experience of it. I've always paid!