April 10, 2002
Erdem Coban spoke to the press earlier today, "I signed today a one year contract with options for two more with Hernj-Roaldo as a testdriver, cause I feel I have to learn a lot in F1, and Roaldo seems the best team at the moment with great experience!"

Over the last weeks it was hard for Coban who feared for his career: "Yeah, it was scary. I really thought it was over and that the amount of my contract had broken my career in two. But my friend Leon Verheggen kept telling me it would be ok, that honesty would survive. He pulled me out of the deep valley I was in. I want to thank him for this and that he stood by me all the time."

But Coban wanted to thank more people: "Special thanks to Dan Lawrence, without him it was impossible to drive, to be part of the big group in GPVWC. He said to me he would help me to solve the problems, cause I knew with my temper I could not do this. I learned Dan better these weeks and although we did not get along always in the past, I just wanted to say that he is a great guy. Also I would like to thank James Menzies and Matt Maple, two guys who felt sympathy with my situation."

Coban now drives for Hernj-Roaldo, along with two great drivers Van Renswoude and Daniel Miguel. Is there some hard competition between the drivers? Coban answered: "What is competition? I feel honoured to drive with two great experienced drivers. I heared they felt the same with me. Of course I want to beat them, but I don't hate them or something. I don't consider myself better than them. I hope our relationship will be open. But no, I didn't talk to them yet."

Finally we asked about the situation with his old team, MaMa Racing. What does he think of their retirement: "Well, I am not a guy who kicks someone when he is already down. So no comment on that. But I hope the new team that will replace them will do a good job and the current drivers Joe and Brian still get a chance to prove themselves."

What his Coban's goal for this season: "I will drive at least two races in F3000, to keep the rhythm in my body. I will test for Roaldo and maybe drive a race. I can't confirm that last thing, but I hope to prove one time how competitive I am. I will not participate yet in the Magny-Cours test. I am going to use that period of rest to improve my condition and health. I am very ill at the moment. But I am eager to strike back in F1. I am more hungry than ever to prove myself to the world."