“I have so much respect for [Bernie Ecclestone] for what he did with this sport. He did so much more than people in tennis or football.”

You can’t compare eras. But drivers of each era adapt to the needs and climate of their time. There are good and bad points to every era of the sport. I’m not really nostalgic about the past.

If somebody says, “You like putting out fires,” and I say, “It’s not a case of liking it, but I do put them out, and if there aren’t fires left I make them, so I can put them out.” It’s what we do.

It’d be good for the world if [Donald Trump] won.

I suppose it’s knowing when you’ve come up with an idea that works, when you’ve got it right, whatever it is.

You can’t make decisions if there are no charges or issues to deal with. So it’s quite normal to wait until there is some reason to react.

If you say ‘Good Morning’ in America and it’s five past twelve you end up with a lawsuit.

I am happy that we have somebody like Lewis [Hamilton]. I also couldn’t be like Lewis. I don’t like gold jewelry!

My dad always took to his heels when a nappy change was necessary. I am so much looking forward to our child. It is such a wonderfully exciting time right now.

I think the way I do things would be difficult to teach somebody to do. They need to get another good used car dealer. That’s what they need. Find a good car dealer.

I have no regrets about the amount of work I put into the sport. This is what I needed to do with my life.

I won’t be threatened or intimidated by anyone and I’ve always been prepared to do what is necessary to defend my interests.

Forget what others whisper in your ears. Most of that is pure rubbish that obstructs the view to what really is important. Always make your own decisions. That is what makes us human.

I also would rather race than strut red carpets in Hollywood – and thank God this is not my job – but also the team principals should be more prominent.

Each new deal is another opportunity.

As I small child and hearing all the stories about him I, of course, looked up to him as some kind of miracle. Then I got to eight years old and suddenly I was taller than [Bernie Ecclestone].

Actually I think I have forgotten how it was back then. Or probably not – I didn’t qualify. There were only 16 cars in the race.