September 07, 2004
Pole man Ryan McConkey (MMC Racing), 2nd placed Kari Koski (FinOz) and 3rd placed Antonio Irisarri (Phoenix F1) all provided their thoughts on the variable weather in Qualifying and how they overcame the conditions to make it onto the top 3 grid positions.

In conditions which would be more suitable to Scuba Diving gear, the top 3 drivers here were lucky enough to get the opportunity to put Intermediates on before the conditions worsened. Here are there comments on an unusual top 3 Grid.

Pole Position - Ryan McConkey (MMC Racing - BMW)

Fantastic result Ryan! The conditions seems to be as perfect as they could have been for your lap!

Hi Toby. Yes, I finally got a pole! I got really really lucky with the weather in that qualifying session. The conditions were not bad at all, and it was fairly easy to drive the car. I feel I drove the best lap I could, up until I got to the Bus Stop chicane. I went kind of easy through that so I lost about 3 tenths or so. I'm still confident had other drivers been in the same track conditions, I would have fared well in qualifying.

Rumour has it that the race will be totally dry, is your car prepared for that outcome?

Yeah, we are always watching the weather, and we set the car up for a dry race. We didn't change anything to help it go better in the wet qualifying, so it's setup for 100% dry weather. It should be a stable setup.

It's going to be difficult for Mikko or Scott or even Steve to make starts being where they are on the grid, can you hold them off and take victory?

Yes, you're right. They are kind of far back, while it will probably get backed up into La Source for them, I'll be in the clear. That's just one lap and I'm sure they will move up the field quite quickly. I'm not going to take it easy thats for sure. I'd like to be optimistic, but I'm going to have to really perform amazingly to get the win here. We'll see how it unfolds.

Do you see any future poles in your career?

I hope so! Mostly because I want to get a pole outright, in the dry. As I said to our press team, I was slightly disappointed that I got my first pole like that. Most people will just say, "Oh well, he just got lucky." When I know I was really lucky, but I was really pushing hard out there too, so it's kind of disguised by the 'luck' thing. Hopefully, at some of the remaining races this season I might be able to get a proper pole position and then I'll be completely satisfied.

2nd - Kari Koski (FinOz - Ferrari (c))

Even with Steve down mid-grid, FinOz still have a driver in the press conference! Kari, this team is having a truly fantastic debut season!

Yes, true, our season has been very fantastic so far. I've had some up and downs, but today everything went perfectly. Steve has shown what our car is capable already and we will get stronger and stronger on each race we do.

How did your lap go? It seemed the rain lightened for you?

I was very lucky today with the weather. We were looking to the sky all time long and then at the final minute desided to go for the intermeds and it was perfect call. Lap was okay, I didn't push maximum as I didn't want to risk it too much as it was very tricky, I knew we can be quick and i'm very happy about 2nd place.

How confident are you for the race? It may be totally dry, is the car prepared for that?

Yes i have fully dry setup as it should not rain tomorrow, but you never can't be 100% sure specially here at Spa. If it's dry i think i have very good race car. There are very fast drivers coming fast behind me so i will have big fight to keep my position. We will see what happens but front row starting place is very good for the race.

You are currently down in 12th place in the Drivers Championship - what are your targets for the end of the season?

I will try as hard as I can for the remainder of the season to secure 2nd place in the Constructors Championship for FinOz. Monza and Magny-Cours should be quite good for our car and for my driving style about Japan and Brazil i can't be so sure. For sure it will be very interesting end for the season and I hope to score as many points as possible to move up some places on the standings as well.

3rd Antonio Irisarri (Phoenix F1 - Renault)

We've just heard that Phoenix are set for a completely new driver lineup for 2005, it must be a shame to have to move from a team you've been with for so long?

Yes it was a surprise for me, is ok maybe is time to move , but honestly i would prefer to stay with the team as it is getting competitive in all areas and next year it was looking like a strong team.

Do you feel angry towards the team for this decision, or just upset? Obviously Andy Graydon was sad to have cut short negotiations with you

Not angry i feel is ok with us he was a good manager and he's promised to help a lot to find a competitive team to drive in 2005, so is no problem, but this situation boost me up for the upcoming races. This year i improve my times in races but i have so many computer problems in races especially, after my trip to usa on vacation, that I have some bad races since - so i hope this situation improve in Spa.

A driver as good as you should have no problems finding a drive for 2005, have you had any contact with other teams, or do you know what your 2005 plans are yet?

I have a team interested and is a good team, negotiation maybe finish before Monza race.

Spa has always been a happy race track for yourself, with a dominant performance in the Gold Cup race last year! How did you find qualifying?

My goal was to to get as near to front as possible. The car is very good in dry good balance and the tyres wear equally , so i'm gonna push to get a victory here.

With your good record here, can you take victory for Phoenix?

Yes, i have the car to win!