Julian Śmiechowski will be back behind the wheel in the Clio Cup with the Orlen Janík Motorsport team. The young driver from Poland made his debut in the series last season and showed great speed, frequently fighting for wins — though a victory ultimately eluded him. Now, he’s eager to change that.
Can you share some of the most valuable lessons you learned during your first Clio Cup season and how you plan to apply them in the upcoming races?
I learned, first and foremost, to be responsible on the track and to race sensibly. I also learned to stay focused right from the start of the race, because the first lap is usually when you can gain the most from the commotion after the start to settle into a good position for the rest of the race.
In what areas do you feel you have the most room for improvement, and how are you preparing to improve in your second season?
First of all, I want to avoid making mistakes during races. That happened to me twice last season and cost me a lot of positions.
How has being part of the Orlen Janík Motorsport team affected your racing career, and what kind of support have you received from the team’s performance?
I’ve learned how to work within a large and professional team like Orlen Janík Motorsport. At the beginning it was difficult for me when there are a lot of engineers and mechanics in the team. I also opened up to communicating in English with all the team members because in earlier seasons I didn’t have the opportunity to work in a racing team from another country.
What specific goals have you set for the upcoming Clio Cup season?
First and foremost, to score throughout the season, to get to the finish line and not to make mistakes. My goal, of course, is to finish the season in the top 3 of the general classification. But the stakes are really strong so I’m sure it won’t be easy.
You fought for victory many times last season but never quite succeeded. Where do you think you have the best chance of taking your first win?
The Slovakia Ring is my strong point, I like this track and I am fast there, so I think I will definitely fight for the victory there. However, I am definitely aiming for the top step of the podium on every circuit.
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