September 23, 2000
Published on tags: Superleague
Dave Harland, GPVWC Press Officer, interviewed Brendon Maw, Neil Robinson, Jason Endean and Richard Dickson after the qualifying session of the Australian GP.

Brendon Maw - Britten Racing-Britten (Team Manager)

Dave: first of all congratulations on your pole position it must be very gratifying.

Brendon: it was a great surprise really, the car wasn't in the best of condition as all of our engineers have spent the last week or so working on the pacific car, so we are very delighted with the result and seeing both drivers putting in there best qualifying performance of the season.

Dave: given the fact that Melbourne is a tough circuit how do you rate the teams chances for a win.

Brendon: we all love the circuit and the support in our home grand prix, but we will have to wait and see about a win, there's a lot of very good drivers in the top 6 and all are in with a chance, and the top 3 in particular are very close so it's going to be very difficult indeed.

Dave: we have two Jason's on the first row and there are only 3 tenths between them are you expecting a few fireworks at the first corner.

Brendon: yes of course, seeing as one Jason is from Australia and the other from New Zealand, but it'll be more the crowd that will be cheering for either. They are both professional drivers and keep their cool in these situations very well, so it'll be racing as usual hopefully.

Dave: your other car is on the third row will team orders that come into the equation.

Brendon: no way, we do not advocate or support team orders in this situation in the championship. Both drivers will be competing to their potential, and we wish them the best.

Dave: OK Brendon thanks very much and the best of luck in the race.

Neil Robinson - BA Racing-Mercedes (Team Manager)

Dave: First let me congratulate you on your grid position of 2nd.

N Robinson: thank you a lot of work has gone into the cars competitiveness.

Dave: given that grid position how do you feel the race will go.

N Robinson: well we had a bad start to the season and since then we have made great progress, the race I feel will be great as we have both drivers in top 4.

Dave: the team's performances in the past two races have been great how do you see the rest of the season going.

N Robinson: well I hope to continue the success and I think we have a realistic chance of taking the championship crown.

Dave: your driver is starting on the dirty side of the track will that cause him any problems.

N Robinson: well he is a very fast driver so I see no reason why he should have any problems.

Dave: Australia is a notorious circuit for overtaking are you worried about the charge for the first corner.

N Robinson: not really I expect all the drivers to be through cleanly and should see my men at the front.

Dave: OK Neil thanks very much and good luck in the race Neil: thank you.

Jason Endean - BA Racing-Mercedes (driver)

Dave: First of all congratulations on your 2nd position.

J Endean: Thanks, We work hard the whole Qualifying session to get there, We started Slowly and Gained with each outing. The Car Performed Very Well.

Dave: you are starting on the dirty side of the track how will that affect the car.

J Endean: To be Honest, It does not bother me and it is not something that I think about. I think it will be a fairly even start from the front row on Race Day. The Car set-up that we have will allow us to get a fast start.

Dave: given your lap times in qualifying. how do you see the race panning out.

J Endean: Well, we are Only 3 tenths Behind Jason Smith in Qualifying and We will work on improving the Set up for the race. It will be very tight between the First four drivers and Depending on what Strategy that everyone does will certainly play a major role in the result. We have nothing set down yet for the race The Team will make a Decision at The start of the race and Make it as flexible as possible to allow for Different Outcomes.

Dave: Jason is a bit of a flyer and Melbourne has a very tight first corner will you be giving him a lot of room.

J Endean: Well, I don't intend on taking Him or myself out at the First corner. Many Races have been lost in the First Corner by Silly Moves, I do not intend on doing anything like that. I hope all the Drivers use a bit of common sense and allow the necessary room for other cars.

Dave: well-said Jason thanks very much and good luck in the race

JJ: Thanks!

Richard Dickson - A Racing-Renault (driver)

Dave: First off congratulations on you 3rd spot on the grid.

R Dickson: thanks, forgive me if my answers are gonna be short but I'm tired.

Dave: you are starting on the clean side of the track on the 2nd row will that be a bit of a bonus for you into the first corner.

R Dickson: well, it would have been nice to start second or pole really, less cars in the way then!

Dave: Given your laptimes in qualifying how confidant are you for a podium position.

R Dickson: absolutely 100% confident for podium and i'm hoping to be challenging for the race, i think the car's still got a little bit left in it as my qualifying lap wasn't completely hooked up.

Dave: Where do you think the problem was was it in any particular spot on the track.

R Dickson: just a tad bit of oversteer in the fast left right chicane, but that's hopefully fixable i think it was a case of tiredness again tho!

Dave: you are a full second faster than your team mate, does this reflect in the set up of the car.

R Dickson: no i don't think so, it's just a case of experience i think, Chris has just had a wheel and he's still getting used to it, give him time and hopefully we'll be roughly the same pace.

Dave: Melbourne is tough on tyres did you suffer with grip.

R Dickson: not at all, and i don't think i'll have too much of a grip problem in the race.

Dave: Your car has been very reliable in the past couple of races but Melbourne being Melbourne are you confident of reliability.

R Dickson: absolutely 100%.

Dave: Ok Richard thanks and good luck in the race.