Pedersen hope Nico Rosberg retires as a world champion.

Pedersen didn’t have a great 2015 season with just two podiums, one pole position, and a battle with the car’s reliability. A complete reshuffle could see the team rocket to the top, but before the season begins, team boss Michael Pedersen sat down with FF1M’s lead commentator James Brickles to reflect on 2015 and look forward to 2016.

Q: Thank you for talking to us today Michael. 2015 didn’t look to be the easiest of seasons for you. How would you sum up last season?

A: Yeah 2015 was doomed from day one really. Someone in our organization decided behind everyone’s backs that we should have Ilmor engines, and I don’t want to be mean, but that didn’t work out. It was just a really bad engine. We are close to finding out who it was and when we do that person will no longer be in our team.

We fought on with what we had. Perez and Grosjean did the best with what they had and I can’t blame them for wanting to drive in something more ‘compete-able’ than ours. They didn’t want to gamble on another season with us sadly.

Q: With Sergio Perez and Romain Grosjean moving on to other teams, you now have former world champion Nico Rosberg as your leading driver for 2016 in what will be his final FF1M season. Can he bow out on a high?

A: We are delighted to have Rosberg joining the team, hopefully our engineers will pick up from his experience and knowledge. We really hope we can retire him as a world champion once again.

Q: Nico will be joined by Canadian rookie Nicholas Latifi, who didn’t do too badly in FF2M. What are his expectations for his debut season?

A: Exactly, Nicholas has proven himself in lower series and I thought it was the right time to give him a go with the big boys. Now it’s up to him to show he is ready for it. My wish is he at least finishes the races and gains knowledge and experience, and that he also grabs the odd few points here and there.

Q: Moving onto the car and engines, you have returned to Mugen engines after a year with Ilmor, plus you have acquired Red Bull sponsorship. Will these changes give your team the wings to challenge for the championship?

A: Indeed, we had a really good relationship with Mugen in the past. I did visit the Mugen HQ personally at the beginning of last season after the news of Ilmor engines in the back of our cars emerged to apologise for the mishap and to assure them, Mugen, that we had nothing to do with this decision and that we hope we could rebuild the trust between us once again.

Q: Were you concentrating this time when submitting your entry?

A: I always concentrate (starts to blush).

Q: A short view back to the past now, you’re one of four teams on the grid who were part of the original 11 teams in the inaugural season. What are some of your favourite moments in your FF1M career?

A: Obviously the championship winning years as a team and also Ralf Schumacher are highlights, but also that we have managed to get back to the top after we have hit the bottom a few times and the close racing.

Q: And a little fun fact for yourself, the first broadcasted FF1M race (Masters Season 2: Spanish Grand Prix) saw your team win with Jacques Villeneuve, so that must’ve been a good moment for yourself.

A: To win is always a satisfying feeling (starts to blush again).

Q: Last one from me, who of the other teams do you see performing strongly this season?

A: It’s a tough one, there are so many good drivers in every team. It’s hard to choose just one, but Mitchell, Gojira, and I would say possibly Tornado as well look good. Shout out to Exolite who I think may be the surprise team of the season.