A lot of times when I was younger, whether it was in go-karting, or when I first started out in a new category, I would sit behind someone throughout a race. I didn't have the confidence in that environment to take some risks.

There have been times in my career when people thought I was a pushover, especially as they saw me as this smiley guy.

It's a complex sport; you're always learning.

Back in 2014, I felt like I was ready to win a world title. I felt like I was prepared and I was as good as anyone else, but I knew I didn't have the equipment.

I was fascinated by racing as a kid, but no way would I have thought I'd make it into Formula One from here, from being from Perth, racing on little local go-kart tracks, you know.

I'm sure everyone has a cool story behind how they got into Formula One, but, for me, Perth, you know, not only in Australia is it detached, but it's detached from the whole world.

I love music which helps me get focused and keeps my thoughts away from other things. The music gets heavier as the race gets closer, and my warm up routine starts to get a bit more intense with heart rates, etc.

I know what I want, and the performance side is more important than ticking the money box.

I've definitely got better over the years at conserving my energy in pre-season - at knowing what to focus on and what to let go.

I'm not very patient.

I think once you get into the routine of race weekends, and there's more of a structure, it gets a bit easier.

When you're young, the temptation is maybe to think, 'More is more.' But a lot of the time less is more.

I love coming to America to race. Maybe that's because I'm a big fan of NASCAR as well.

It's easy to get into the competition of F1, and you are never going to win every race even though you want to. So when you're not winning, you want to win, so you're not that happy. But you have to look at the big perspective, and I am very fortunate to be one of 22 in the world to do this.

I know that I'll joke around to the last minute I get in the car. But once the helmet's on - it's sort of a cliche, but it's true - it's quite symbolic that that is 'go time,' and I'm ready to have some fun and be bad while I do it.

I loved a lot of motorsports, but as far as the ovals go, I was more into NASCAR.

Dale Earnhardt was kind of a hero of mine.

I was addicted to going fast, finding the big hills on the pushbike. It was just something I enjoyed a lot - things with wheels.

I'm very competitive. If I have to 'turn it on,' I know how to. The switch isn't hard to find, don't worry.

I feel I am promoting the sport well in Australia with what I'm doing on an international level.

I try to send out a good message - I sometimes get asked for advice for leaving home and trying to 'make it' overseas. I would always say think long term, and think bigger picture: make the sacrifice.

I would love to do a one-off race somewhere - NASCAR would be awesome.

I'm the most ripped guy on the grid, let's just say that.

I had a very successful 2014, but I have got to keep aiming for bigger and better things, so the world title is my goal.

I train five-and-a-half out of seven days and do a combination of exercise.

You're never perfect in this sport; there is always something to learn.

To have a home Grand Prix is awesome, so just to go there is already a buzz.

You don't have to be scared of what other people are thinking. You don't need to feel judged by other people.

I have a dog and a cat, and they are best friends.

You just have to find the people that you love, and surround yourself with them.

'Harry Potter' is the first book that ever got me into reading. I had to read it in year 7, for school, and then I kept reading all of them.

I will never stop being excited about 'Harry Potter.'

I love tinted moisturiser. I feel like I'm wearing nothing when I'm wearing it, which is how I like to feel, but it still provides me with coverage - and it's got sunscreen in it, so I'm not worried about getting burnt.

If you make one person happy, there you go - you did your job.

When Sundance happened, it felt insane and not like reality at all.

Everyone goes through that time in their life when they're trying to figure out who they are, find their own purpose and their own way.

I remember loving 'Hairspray.' I was obsessed with it, and I didn't realise why. I felt so connected to it at the time because there wasn't any other kind of representation. So when it happens, you think, 'wow, I really connect with this movie. Why is that? Maybe it's because there's a girl like me up there on the screen.'

I just got to do a challenging scene with Jennifer Aniston! That's unreal to me.

I had a talk with Frances McDormand, actually, right before I did my first lead in a film, and that was really amazing.

When I first watched '8 Mile,' it was amazing. It got me. I loved it.

I love acting, and I'm going to continue doing that.

When I was in Australia, I had three different agents in three different years, and I didn't have one audition. They were good agents; I just never had one audition that was the right stuff.

I actually got a visa through a job that fell through, and it allowed me to move out here and start from scratch. There's more opportunity in America for girls like me, I guess.

There's a process: you audition, you get rejected, occasionally you get jobs, and it's exciting, but it's all little stepping stones.

It's kind of amazing to see that progress happens over time.

I wanted to act; wherever that was, I was happy. It just happened to be in America for me.

I've never actually played an Australian or worked in Australia. I really want to change that. I really want to work here - that would be great.

I came out to America just before I turned 19, got my first audition, and booked it.

I think, in Australia, it's kind of a crazy thing to say, 'I want to be an actor.' People look at you weirdly. And when I said I was moving to L.A., I remember people saying, 'No, you shouldn't. You'll just come back disappointed.'

People in big studios are like, 'People want to see other people who are skinny and happy and amazing.' But I think, nowadays, they are realising that what sells is real people from all different backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures and size. People want to see themselves represented on screen, and it's a real cool thing for everyone.