Sophia Flörsch is working hard at the moment, testing and training, in order to be fit for the start of the new season. She doesn't know yet where she's heading but is not too worried about that. One highlight of her year was, no doubt, meeting world champion Nico Rosberg at the ADAC gala in December. Getting her hands on Rosberg's World Cup has reinforced her desire to see a future for herself as a racing driver, as she told us, her voice charged with emotion: "Meeting the Formula 1 World Champion in person was awesome. Being able to hold the World Cup was just brilliant. I'll never forget our meeting and hope that I can emulate his achievement some day."

Sophia, the 2016 season ended four months ago. With the benefit of hindsight, how would do you rate your first season in the ADAC Formula 4?

Sophia Flörsch: "It was an excellent year for me in retrospect. I took part in a lot of races and was able to show that I'm fast when everything goes right and I don't have any bad luck. Unfortunately, I was often hit by bad luck this season. Still, I picked up a lot of things along the way, was able to take on board a great many things and will certainly be in a position to apply what I've discovered next year. I'll be competing in Formula 4 for another year. We've done a lot of testing, and the final decision will be made in the next few weeks."

In which areas have you made the most progress?

Sophia Flörsch: "I've actually increased my knowledge in all areas but have progressed especially where contesting races is concerned, because single-seater racing is completely different to karting. I learned a lot about race tactics, about getting off the line and also about qualifying which was of crucial importance, because there were 40 drivers, you know, and we were all bunched very close together. But I also learned about overtaking and working as a team. We drove once a day and twice on Sundays and had to be fully focused when sitting in the car. It was all new to me last year, so in that respect, the season was important for me just to gain experience. I carefully went back over the season with my engineer, with my fitness trainer and with my dad. These are the three people helping me to achieve my goal. You can still learn a lot by looking back."

Where do you see your strengths? What areas do you still have to work on?

Sophia Flörsch: "Contesting races is my strength, just like when I was racing karts. If there's a gap, I go for it and overtake. I'm very good on the brakes as I've often been told, and I win through. It may also be due to the fact that I'm a girl and have always had to beat the guys. Let's just say, I don't hold back. I'm tough and don't take any prisoners when I'm driving. One of my strengths is racing in the rain. I was fast in the wet even in a kart and still am."

Will we see you again in the ADAC Formula 4 in 2017? What is it that makes the German Formula 4 so attractive?

Sophia Flörsch: "I've been testing with two teams, and a decision about which series we will contest will be made soon. Whether I combine series and drive in a couple of them depends on the budget. There are a lot of competitors in German Formula 4, and so, everyone is bunched up close together, which also makes for challenging races. And of course, the ADAC Formula 4 can offer a terrific package in Germany with Sport1, which is why another season would be so very attractive. There have also been some changes in sponsorship, plus, I've got a new PR management team based in Hamburg. It's great to have them on board, and I'm pleased that they want to take me further."

It's still a good three months before the season starts. How are you keeping physically and mentally fit during the winter break in the run-up to the new season?

Sophia Flörsch: "The season never ends. Fitness training, including training for strength and stamina, are at the top of the agenda. They're my number one priority, and, of course, school. I'm now in Year 11, and my final exams (the Abitur) are fast approaching in 2018. All of that is very important, but I'll have everything boxed and coxed by then. More test sessions are scheduled for February."