July 25, 2004
In the most unlikely move of the season so far, Puma F1 owner Dave Cummings has managed to lure Andy Graydon out of retirement to race in Germany at the Hockenheimring!

The news broke when the Puma F1 news reporter saw Graydon and Cummings leaving the Puma F1 motorhome after being locked away with their advisors for over 4 hours on the Thursday before the GP.

1. Andy, is the news regarding the rumour, and Cummings? big smile is true, that you are to pilot one of the Pumas in Germany?

"Well, the short answer is yes. It's a late deal, but Dave was having problems filling both race seats for this race so I offered my services (for what they are worth!) and I'll be driving the number 24 Puma F1 here".

2. Why are you making your debut in 2004 now? And why for the Puma F1 team?

"I got a taste for driving again when I attended an unofficial test run by Simsoa at Suzuka way back in March. I drove my teams 2004 Phoenix F1 there, and found myself lapping nearly 5 seconds quicker than I had in the Qualifying session for the last race of the 2003 season!

I've seen the Puma F1 team struggle of late to get drivers to finish races, and I believe I can do that for them.

As to why it's Puma F1 - probably because no other team would have me!! Seriously, I haven't driven competitively now since the end of the 2002 season. 1 outing in Japan in 2003, and now here in Germany, does not constitute a return to racing. I haven't driven Hockenheim (with GP4 and the wheel) so it'll be a learning experience".

3. Does this mean the Puma team is struggling?

"Not sure what your question is getting at here! If you mean they must be desperate if they want me to race for them - well, that's not strictly true. It's no secret that the Porsche engine in the back of the Puma is very low on BHP. I wonder if - at a circuit like Hockenheim where power is key - some of the team drivers have backed down because of the clear problems the team will have with performance compared to others on the grid? But I don't think that to be the case.

Perhaps my appearance here might lead to Chris Galloway making his 2004 debut too - I know Chris likes to get "one-up" on me at any and all opportunities! Being a Lancashire lad, he's bound to feel inferior at the best of times, especially as he doesn't have a passport to enter Yorkshire!

Seriously, are Puma F1 struggling? No points on the board is hardly unexpected for a new team in its first season. I think they are doing OK".

4. This must mean you will be rooting for two teams on the grid this weekend then?

"No, not at all. Phoenix F1 is my main priority (as well as the running of the F1VWC itself). Jan Kelder will be standing in on the Pitwall for the race, and will co-ordinate the efforts of both cars for the race. I have every confidence that he will do a very good job. His experience with the team is second only to me and Antonio. So no problems there.

As for Puma F1 - I will simply do the best I can in Qualifying and the race. I know that the Porsche engine's power output is way down on the other teams - in some instances 50 BHP less. But I hope to give the fans something to shout about come race day!"

5. You will be driving the most aerodynamically advanced car on the grid, but with that in mind, what are the downfalls for the Puma Team?

"Most aerodynamically advanced! I'll tell you whether that's true or not after the race! I won't mention any potential 'downfalls' as basically it's none of my business! I suppose for this track power is all important. So you could say that the engine is letting the chassis down. But I made my racing debut with Porsche power behind me for BSR, and finished at this same track in 5th place in the LFRS 100% TL league back in 2001. I don't think I'll be able to match that result here, but at least I know how the Porsche engineers work - they'll want their engine to be up with the best in a very short time!"

6. Did it surprise you that when Cummings took over the team the first thing he did was to drop the VW engines?

"Yes, actually it did. It meant that the team was starting with an engine that was less powerful than the already partially developed VW powerplant. But, I know that Dave has long term plans for his team, and he ahs chosen a partnership with Porsche t meet those goals.

You have to remember, that Phoenix F1 did the same thing on their F1VWC debut in 2003, by taking on board the Renault engines used by SCUM ( and knonw as the laughing stock of the GPVWC 2002) - but look at them now in 2004. The same thing - with committment and dedication - will happen to the Puma F1 - Porsche partnership, I'm sure."

7. Do you think he did the right thing at that point?

"To meet his long term goals, probably yes. But we'll never know now, will we?"

8. Speaking of points, wouldn?t it be a scoop if you scored the teams first ever points?

"Yes, it would be a scoop. But with the lack of BHP around this power circuit, I don't expect to be in the points. It would take some major breakdowns for me to move up the order. In fact, I know that I'm on a safe bet not to show myself up - expectations are not great for this event for the Puma F1 package, and I feel no pressure whatsoever. I'm just gonna go out there and enjoy myself. We'll see who I can have a dice with on race day!"

9. Good luck and how well do you think it will go?

"Thanks. If I can get inot a prize winning position for the team, then I will be pleased. Points are really out of the question. I have picked the wrong car/track package to attempt to achieve that. But beggars can't be choosers, as they say. I will give it my all and that's all I can do really."

OK Andy - thanks for your comments

"No problem".