Going to the Champions League final with Manchester United and Monaco is like the difference between driving a Ferrari and a Fiat for Patrice Evra - but the France defender still needs to keep his vehicle on the road.
Four years ago, Evra's Fiat was shunted to the hard shoulder as Porto roared away with European football's biggest club prize.
United's clash with Chelsea in Moscow next Wednesday promises to be a whole lot closer, with any edge being claimed by both sides as the mental battle intensifies.
But Evra has no intention of being defeated again and is determined to give the Red Devils the drive of his life.
"My last final holds bad memories for me," said the defender, who celebrates his 27th birthday on Thursday.
"But I joke that I went to the final with Monaco in a Fiat now I am going with the Ferrari. But now I need to drive the Ferrari very well.
"This is the biggest game in my life now and I do not want to lose again.
"When I first joined Manchester United I said I didn't want to just go to a Champions League final I wanted to go and win it. That is what I intend to do."
It is hard to believe now he is established as probably the best left-back in England but the first few months of Evra's time at Old Trafford was tortuous.
Not only was his young family living out of a suitcase in their Manchester hotel but the France international's form nose-dived, completely bamboozled by the pace of the game and the changes in kick-off time, which at one point made him, quite literally, sick as his body failed to adjust to eating pasta for breakfast.
"It was not the same as living in Monte Carlo that's for sure," he said.
"I needed to take the step but it was very difficult for me and my family, then I missed the World Cup with France. I was very angry with myself."
Evra returned from his holidays with more confidence and with Gabriel Heinze struggling to overcome knee problems, quickly established himself as Sir Alex Ferguson's first choice.
A first Premier League title followed and a second now accompanies it after Sunday's win at Wigan.
Indeed, the major surprise about Evra is that United have failed to agree terms with him yet over a new contract.
Given his current deal only has a single season to run, Old Trafford officials will bid to conclude negotiations over the summer, aware Evra has plenty of admirers across the continent.
"My agent is speaking to the club," he confirmed.
"There has been one meeting and there has been nothing since. I have one year left, so the ball is in Manchester United's court.
"My job was to concentrate on winning the title and I have done it. Now my job is to concentrate on winning the Champions League. Let's see what happens after that."
It would be a major blow if Evra left, although there is no suggestion of such a scenario being allowed to arise as Ferguson looks for a hat-trick of domestic titles.
There is a single-mindedness about United at present that suggests they will not be beaten easily in the Luzhniki Stadium.
Evra is adamant they have proved themselves to be worthy champions this term, exuding a confidence which Chelsea may find difficult to overcome.
"I think we have deserved the title because the team have played well," he said.
"In this country we have the team with more character and we have proved last year was not a fluke.
"We have got stronger, we have more experience and the defence was better than last year. These are the keys to winning the title again and that is why we have won it."
