Create account | Log in as member
http://www.gpvwc.com/media/layout/login_arrow.png
Formula Sprint 2
Japanese Grand Prix
Suzuka International Racing Course
Tuesday 2nd of April 2024 19:00:00
More
June 20, 2002
The Official Qualifying Press Conference took place a few hours after the session itself, with the top 3 drivers [Joe Consiglio, Erdem Coban, Gene Annunziata] present.

Pole 2nd 3rd

Hi guys, congratulations to you all on your fantastic qualifying efforts. I'll start with the Pole sitter, Joe Consiglio;

Joe, congratulations on a magnificent Pole! .your first and Stealth's first ...and the first non-HR pole of the season.... how does it feel?

Its just superb to be on pole here. I've never qualified outside the top 4 this year, but to hear Ted on the radio shouting 'P1' was a big surprise. Hernj-Roaldo and BMW have been doing a great job all year, but I think its nice for everyone to see a different team on pole.

How did your session go today?

The balance of the car was excellent and the Honda engine again proved to have enough grunt down the straights. I didn't have much appearance of this track before we arrived here but we found a good setup very quickly which helped. As for the lap itself, I wasn't quite as committed as I wanted to be in the 1st section and was down on Erdem's time at that stage. This really made me push in the 2nd and 3rd. The last chicane is very tricky but managed to keep it on road and cross the line in 1st with only a few minutes of the session to go.

Can you translate this position into a race win?

(Smiles) If I get a good start and the car holds out you never know........

Erdem, 2nd on the grid for you 2nd Grand Prix at the wheel of a HR. Is this the position you were expecting?

No, to be honest I expected a lower position before the qualifying, somewhere in the top 5. The reason therefore is quite clear: although this is one of my favourite tracks, I came here with two diploma's in my pocket, a drivers licence and my high-school diploma. So I have tested marginal because of the many parties. But during qualifying I saw that it was possible to secure my first pole, so I am sitting with mixed feelings here now

How did your session go today?

It went pretty well, during the practise I had a 1m17.0 and I thought that that time would be my qualifying time too. But I suprisingly went 7 tenths faster and it was even possible to drive into the 15's, but I had to cancel that lap because three wheels went into the grass, which didn't cost me time I have to add, but the rules are rules and I didn't wanted to get disqualified...

Are you now aiming for the win? or will you be satisfied to finish on the podium?

I want the victory! Joe is in top form the last Grand Prix', I am well aware of that, but he will have to drive his best race ever if he wants to beat me here. I have the chance to win a race for the first time in my life on a track I like, and I am focusing on one thing now: to secure that. I already have a 2nd place, in Austria. A podium means nothing to me now, I want to be on the top spot. We will see...

Gene, You really seem to have found some form over the last few GP's, why/how is this?

Yes, Canada qual was very good and now I am very happy with this position here. In effect it is hard not to go fast with our car! I'm training a lot to take this result, and in future I could go faster.

How did your session go today?

I have run to maximum pf my possiblities today, the car was perfect and the setup ok. This is a car for pole position.

You were closely matched with Robert Filipe in qualifying, what are KRB's chances in the race?

Robert is a fast driver, and I'm happy of my 3rd position. I'm sure in the race that KRB will arrive on the podium.

Thanks guys, and good luck to you all in the race!