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April 21, 2011
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The Chinese Grand Prix just finished, and the top three drivers are joined by GPVWC Commentary Lead Adam Smith for the customary post-race Press Conference. Today, we have race winner Lee Morris (ENG, Draig Racing), second placed Jason Muscat (MLT, Red Archer VRT) and third placed Dave Carr-Smith (ENG, Midnight Motorsport).
Q. First up we have Lee Morris, fresh from his fourth win out of four so far in the season, Lee, was it harder for you to win today than it was in Melbourne?
LM. Todays race was mainly about pacing oneself. I didn't push at any time in the race, I just paced the whole race as the tyres were key to winning here. Even when behind Jason before his spin I was catching him and just waiting till the final stops to jump him as Iknew we had a much faster car.
Q. So strategy and patience came into play more than anything today, was there also a degree of luck regarding Jasons spin?
LM. Yes it was just a waiting game, I didn't get pole due to a big mistake. I should have had pole, but I messed that up a bit but I knew I had a bit more fuel on than the guys around me. I don't think there was any luck involved today for me personaly, Jason was unlucky but I am confident that I would have jumped him in the stops anyway as I was quicker up to that point and had almost 7 laps more fuel onboard which was enough to jump him in the final stop.
Q. Great win today, Lee. Jason Muscat of Red Archer Virtual Racing Team finished second today. Jason, second time on the podium this year, were you surprised to be on pole today?
JM. Yes, I was very surprised to be on pole, I was on high fuel and my aim was to be somewhere in the top 5 for qualifing and hoping that other people would be on 3 stops.
Q. Lee mentioned you were unlucky; had you not spun, how much of a challenge do you think you could of given to him?
JM. I was going to battle for the win. I don't think Lee would have passed me with the pit-strategy as he was lapping slowly with worn tyres while I was lapping 1.34s if it wasn't for a battle that I got involved in with Mark Stanton. But if it wasn't for my spin, I think Lee would have caught me for the last laps of the race as he was doing 2 long stints and one short. Would have battled hard for it.
Q. Thanks Jason, good racing. Dave Carr-Smith of Midnight Motorsport took third spot on the podium. Dave, what were your aims going into the race?
DCS. Going into the race we weren't really sure what to expect. We had no idea what sort of pace our competition was running at. We had an encouraging race, despite the difficulties, at Suzuka thanks to a break through in the setup that we were able to bring to this race also; that along with the significant upgrade package we brought to this event meant I was definitely expecting a top 5 and to be closer to Joe & Lee more than anything. So I'm glad we were able to achieve this today, admittedly Lee wasn't running at his maximum pace but we definitely had the ability to match Joe today, something that's very encouraging for the upcoming races.
Q. You say it's encouraging to be matching pace with Joe, How much more development do you think your car needs to be matching the likes of Morris?
DCS. A lot. We would need a massive upgrade to be able to match Lee's ultimate pace. I've competed against him before in equal performing cars and have usually been about three tenths off. Realistically I don't think we will have the development capability to be able to match Lee this season. At the start of the season my aim was to be achieving podiums by seasons end, so to be meeting my targets so early in the season is more than enough to keep me happy - for now anyway.
Thanks guys, see you in Kyalami in two weeks' time!
Q. First up we have Lee Morris, fresh from his fourth win out of four so far in the season, Lee, was it harder for you to win today than it was in Melbourne?
LM. Todays race was mainly about pacing oneself. I didn't push at any time in the race, I just paced the whole race as the tyres were key to winning here. Even when behind Jason before his spin I was catching him and just waiting till the final stops to jump him as Iknew we had a much faster car.
Q. So strategy and patience came into play more than anything today, was there also a degree of luck regarding Jasons spin?
LM. Yes it was just a waiting game, I didn't get pole due to a big mistake. I should have had pole, but I messed that up a bit but I knew I had a bit more fuel on than the guys around me. I don't think there was any luck involved today for me personaly, Jason was unlucky but I am confident that I would have jumped him in the stops anyway as I was quicker up to that point and had almost 7 laps more fuel onboard which was enough to jump him in the final stop.
Q. Great win today, Lee. Jason Muscat of Red Archer Virtual Racing Team finished second today. Jason, second time on the podium this year, were you surprised to be on pole today?
JM. Yes, I was very surprised to be on pole, I was on high fuel and my aim was to be somewhere in the top 5 for qualifing and hoping that other people would be on 3 stops.
Q. Lee mentioned you were unlucky; had you not spun, how much of a challenge do you think you could of given to him?
JM. I was going to battle for the win. I don't think Lee would have passed me with the pit-strategy as he was lapping slowly with worn tyres while I was lapping 1.34s if it wasn't for a battle that I got involved in with Mark Stanton. But if it wasn't for my spin, I think Lee would have caught me for the last laps of the race as he was doing 2 long stints and one short. Would have battled hard for it.
Q. Thanks Jason, good racing. Dave Carr-Smith of Midnight Motorsport took third spot on the podium. Dave, what were your aims going into the race?
DCS. Going into the race we weren't really sure what to expect. We had no idea what sort of pace our competition was running at. We had an encouraging race, despite the difficulties, at Suzuka thanks to a break through in the setup that we were able to bring to this race also; that along with the significant upgrade package we brought to this event meant I was definitely expecting a top 5 and to be closer to Joe & Lee more than anything. So I'm glad we were able to achieve this today, admittedly Lee wasn't running at his maximum pace but we definitely had the ability to match Joe today, something that's very encouraging for the upcoming races.
Q. You say it's encouraging to be matching pace with Joe, How much more development do you think your car needs to be matching the likes of Morris?
DCS. A lot. We would need a massive upgrade to be able to match Lee's ultimate pace. I've competed against him before in equal performing cars and have usually been about three tenths off. Realistically I don't think we will have the development capability to be able to match Lee this season. At the start of the season my aim was to be achieving podiums by seasons end, so to be meeting my targets so early in the season is more than enough to keep me happy - for now anyway.
Thanks guys, see you in Kyalami in two weeks' time!
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