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Formula Sprint 2
San Marino Grand Prix
Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari
Tuesday 30th of April 2024 19:00:00
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August 22, 2003
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Pole man Matt Maple, 2nd placed Mikko Jakonen and 3rd placed Shiro Ryong have been interviewed following qualifying for the Hungarian GP.
Pole Position - Matt Maple (JTM)
Q Pole position in only your second race for JTM. I bet that Juan can't believe what's happening? Is this your first ever pole position?
A Juan is obviously very happy yes, the team worked hard at Monza to get a fast enough vehicle for Hungary, we are very pleased and obviously will work hard to make it 10 points in the race as well, but that's a totally different kettle of fish! This is my fourth? pole now I think, I have a few from SFO but this one means the most as I beat Mikko, Shiro and even a sick Daniel!!! I'm very pleased!
Q Being quick in qualifying is one thing. Do you think you can carry your pace into 77 laps of the Hungaroring?
A Well as I already told Simracingmagazine its going to be hard, our tests have shown the car to be quick but it feels very heavy to drive and hence I think it will be a very tough race, its a long one as well so we have to pray the car will hold together as you have to remember the chassis is only a mere few races old, its going to be a great race and ill try my best to be in this press conference again for the race, good luck everyone else and lets hope Mikko can beat Shiro & Daniel eh ?
2nd Position - Mikko Jakonen (Mapes-VO)
Q 2nd on the grid and ahead of your Championship rivals. You must be happy with the outcome so far?
A Yes I'm quite happy. The car was very good to drive. I maybe didn't get all 100% out of myself on the final lap but that happens sometimes. The 2nd place is a good place to start and challenge the lead in the first corner. And my main rivals are behind me, so I'm quite looking forward to the race.
Q Come race-day, will there be any tactics being played out between you and your team boss (Matt Maple in the pole sitting JTM)? Or will you just go all out for the win and leave the other drivers to sort out their own races?
A I think Matt's priorities will go to his own team, but I know he's a reasonable guy and won't give me unnecessary trouble if I'm clearly faster than him and trying to overtake. I hope to be in the lead after a few laps and keep that. I won't mind if Matt is able to defend his 2nd position right to the end though ;) And I hope Petri will give the championship contenders a hard time too.
Q Talking of winning - it's been quite a while since your last victory. Apart from your recent reliability problems, what has been the reason for your dip in form?
A It doesn't take much. Last race I think I would've won quite easily but then the engine blew. Earlier I've had my share of problems with my setups, and perhaps some lapse of concentration a few races back. It's cost me some in the championship table, but I hope to be back in form for the remainder of the season. And Shiro and Daniel have really been good, they've deserved their wins.
3rd Position - Shiro Ryong (SCUM)
Q Another excellent display Shiro, with that underpowered SCUM-Holden. Can we see another Monaco type result, where you ended up lapping the field - or will this be tougher for you?
A This will definitely be a much tougher fight. The only thing that's similar between this track and Monaco is that they are both high downforce tracks. Other than that they drive quite differently and this style doesn't suit me quite as well as Monaco so I'll just be doing my best and hopefully get a podium and keep the championship lead.
Q This race could be quite pivotal on the Drivers Championship outcome. Mikko Jakonen is clearly revved up this weekend in the knowledge that he needs to win here or at least finish ahead of you if at all possible. Daniel Wilkinson was ill during qualifying and clearly underperformed - although he has won races from lower than 6th on the grid this season. And we have the biggest grid since Malaysia. How are you coping with the pressure now that Mikko and Daniel will be gunning for you in the remaining 4 races of the season?
A This is actually quite a lot of fun and the challenge spurs me on to keep improving myself so the pressure is good and I welcome it. It's also good to see such a large grid, it shows just how good this league is and is a good sign for the future.
Pole Position - Matt Maple (JTM)
Q Pole position in only your second race for JTM. I bet that Juan can't believe what's happening? Is this your first ever pole position?
A Juan is obviously very happy yes, the team worked hard at Monza to get a fast enough vehicle for Hungary, we are very pleased and obviously will work hard to make it 10 points in the race as well, but that's a totally different kettle of fish! This is my fourth? pole now I think, I have a few from SFO but this one means the most as I beat Mikko, Shiro and even a sick Daniel!!! I'm very pleased!
Q Being quick in qualifying is one thing. Do you think you can carry your pace into 77 laps of the Hungaroring?
A Well as I already told Simracingmagazine its going to be hard, our tests have shown the car to be quick but it feels very heavy to drive and hence I think it will be a very tough race, its a long one as well so we have to pray the car will hold together as you have to remember the chassis is only a mere few races old, its going to be a great race and ill try my best to be in this press conference again for the race, good luck everyone else and lets hope Mikko can beat Shiro & Daniel eh ?
2nd Position - Mikko Jakonen (Mapes-VO)
Q 2nd on the grid and ahead of your Championship rivals. You must be happy with the outcome so far?
A Yes I'm quite happy. The car was very good to drive. I maybe didn't get all 100% out of myself on the final lap but that happens sometimes. The 2nd place is a good place to start and challenge the lead in the first corner. And my main rivals are behind me, so I'm quite looking forward to the race.
Q Come race-day, will there be any tactics being played out between you and your team boss (Matt Maple in the pole sitting JTM)? Or will you just go all out for the win and leave the other drivers to sort out their own races?
A I think Matt's priorities will go to his own team, but I know he's a reasonable guy and won't give me unnecessary trouble if I'm clearly faster than him and trying to overtake. I hope to be in the lead after a few laps and keep that. I won't mind if Matt is able to defend his 2nd position right to the end though ;) And I hope Petri will give the championship contenders a hard time too.
Q Talking of winning - it's been quite a while since your last victory. Apart from your recent reliability problems, what has been the reason for your dip in form?
A It doesn't take much. Last race I think I would've won quite easily but then the engine blew. Earlier I've had my share of problems with my setups, and perhaps some lapse of concentration a few races back. It's cost me some in the championship table, but I hope to be back in form for the remainder of the season. And Shiro and Daniel have really been good, they've deserved their wins.
3rd Position - Shiro Ryong (SCUM)
Q Another excellent display Shiro, with that underpowered SCUM-Holden. Can we see another Monaco type result, where you ended up lapping the field - or will this be tougher for you?
A This will definitely be a much tougher fight. The only thing that's similar between this track and Monaco is that they are both high downforce tracks. Other than that they drive quite differently and this style doesn't suit me quite as well as Monaco so I'll just be doing my best and hopefully get a podium and keep the championship lead.
Q This race could be quite pivotal on the Drivers Championship outcome. Mikko Jakonen is clearly revved up this weekend in the knowledge that he needs to win here or at least finish ahead of you if at all possible. Daniel Wilkinson was ill during qualifying and clearly underperformed - although he has won races from lower than 6th on the grid this season. And we have the biggest grid since Malaysia. How are you coping with the pressure now that Mikko and Daniel will be gunning for you in the remaining 4 races of the season?
A This is actually quite a lot of fun and the challenge spurs me on to keep improving myself so the pressure is good and I welcome it. It's also good to see such a large grid, it shows just how good this league is and is a good sign for the future.
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