“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.”

I have earned the money and changed the nappies!

Generally I still believe that Lewis [Hamilton] is the best champion that we have had in a long, long time. He manages to get to all different walks of life: red carpet, fashion business, and music – you name it.

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.

It makes great conversation to discuss what’s wrong with open-wheel racing today.

My style of comedy is more self-deprecating. I think that makes me more relatable. When you deal with ‘topics’ – race, white versus black – you’re not separating from the pack. You’re doing what everybody else is doing.

Al Unser Sr. was one of the smartest drivers I’ve ever raced against.

The child, merely by going on with his life, learns to speak the language belonging to his race. It is like a mental chemistry that takes place in the child.

Same with golf: pick up a club. But not many can go out and get in a race car and experience a drive at over 200 miles an hour.

Motor racing is like one big family, ultimately, and when you come back to it, that’s really what it feels like.

When you start thinking you may get hurt, it’s time to get out of racing.

The most important thing at Daytona is, are you going to have friends willing to work with you during the race as far as drafting?