August 09, 2003
Here we are with the press conferences again! Today it's up to Jakonen, Maple and Sosa to answer our questions.

Pole Position - Mikko Jakonen (Mapes-VO)

Q. A stunning qualifying lap Mikko, did you expect such a fast time?

A. Thanks! I knew we had the potential to be fast here, so yes, I was hoping for a pole. The lap was not 100% perfect but obviously good enough. We really should be able to dominate this weekend, and so far it's looking good.

Q. The weather predictions for the race are very hot! Fitness must be very important to a driver, what preparations do you make before each race?

A. Well I'm in a good enough condition, so I don't think that will be a problem. I naturally drink a lot and get a good rest before the race, but I think I'll be ok. I just hope that the car can take the heat as well.

2nd Position - Matt Maple (JTM)

Q. Mr Maple where do I begin! A tremendous result only 0.153s behind the World Champion Mikko Jakonen's stunning pole time! We have not really associated you with driving before in this league, where has this speed come from?

A. Well thanks a lot for that Chris he-he, coming from someone who has whooped my butt in racing competitively early this season its nice to hear that. Well what can I say, I've driven a lot this year in GP4 and I have become very accustomed to it, lots of testing and hard work pays dividends and obviously its starting to pay off, all drivers know its not easy and sometimes you look at lap times from drivers and just think "how the hell did he do that!!!" but when work hard and persevere it slowly gets better, I think I'm reaching my peak now.

Q. We all know that qualifying results do not always reflect race performances! Do you expect to carry this pace through into the race as you are obviously down on power?

A. I think its hard to say, I'm worried about so many drivers in this league if I finish in the points ill be pleased, its going to be hard to beat Wilko in a similar BHP car and if I can stay within a lap of him ill be pleased, Mikko and Petri I hope will be excellent as ever and will be a threat of course [no team orders in our camp!] but hopefully I can score some points for the team, and maybe cement a contract for the end of the season.

3rd Position - Eric Sosa (Stealth GP)

Q. Eric it was the European GP we last saw you in a top 3 qualifying slot! Have you had any technical problems or just a busy schedule?

A - Good question. I did start the season with a "digital" steering device then after Imola I did change to "analog". Using me new steering device I can take my chances and get along with a good qualifying time, I suppose it is because I have had a long career as Hotlapper.

Mastering a new device takes many hours practice...and unfortunately my busy schedule does not allow me to practice as much as I wish I could do it, besides I always find very problematic to find a good race setup that helps me to reach the same performance and speed as my qualifying setup.....Stealth engineers are always prompted to assist me but we can simply not make it ...not the right way!!!!

Q. Unfortunately your 3rd qualifying lap was disqualified! Just for the record if allowed would it have made any difference to your qualifying position and were you happy with the decision?

A. Not it was not going to make any difference and it was the right decision to disqualify the lap (I saw the replay at one of the Stealth pits monitors). To say the true, on the previous practicing session I had been several times under 0:58.000 at the second split with great chances to have a marvellous lap.....but never made it good at the last sector...ohh the last sector...ohh the last sector....I hate it!!!!, but that is racing!!!

People will see me soon taking poles.....but as long as I do not practice enough with my new device and find the right race setup, I will be finishing the races ..there...somewhere, sadly, far from podiums!!!....I will certainly be more competitive for the next year.