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Formula Sprint 2
Japanese Grand Prix
Suzuka International Racing Course
Tuesday 2nd of April 2024 19:00:00
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March 06, 2004
MMC Racing held a press conference today with Paul Sleight available to the media, as the team started to unpack equipment in the Melbourne Pits.

Reporter - So Paul you're here at Melbourne for the first race of the F1VWC Championship. How has the last few months of testing gone for yourself and your team MMC BMW?

Sleight - Well the pre- season testing has gone particularly well for us and after posting some very fast times with the new car, and showing good consistency on longer runs. I feel we have done all that we could have done over the winter.

Reporter - The team has come a long way since its debut at the USA race in 2003, This race at Melbourne will only be yours and the teams third race, does it surprise you that you have been able to make such a large step since last season?

Sleight - Yes it has surprised me that its only my third race and already I have a chance of scoring points. Myself and Ryan already showed in those 2 races we competed in last season, that we can run with the big boys with seemingly an under performing car. This season hopefully we shall have the equipment at our disposal to do the job.

Reporter - What are your personal goals for the first race and the rest of the season?

Sleight - Simply I want to score points in the first race which I feel is a realistic goal. I don't feel the team has the experience yet to challenge for wins this early in the year, but we shall see. For the championship I would like to beat my team mate (laughing).

Reporter - So you don't think your going to win races this season?

Sleight - I think we shall have the chance to do so on certain circuits, but remembering that I haven't raced on many circuits I don't really want to stick my head out and say that I'm going to win at all.

Reporter - What do you think of the opposition, mainly defending champions SCUM and Mapes VO, but also Scott Whiteman of EIRE?

Sleight - They will all be fast I believe, I feel that Whiteman however will not have it all his own way as some people in the paddock are suggesting. However he's clearly an excellent driver but I didn't come here to finish second to anybody. I also feel that the big suprises of 2004 will most likely be FinOz who I have been very impressed with in testing.

Reporter - Going back to testing, how do you answer the claims that the only reason your team topped the timesheets was low fuel?

Sleight - (laughing) Well if that's what people want to think then that's fine with me. But seriously we only wanted to see what our potential was on those circuits. We have run high fuel stints also in which our times were competitive.

Reporter - How are you preparing for this weekend, what's your strategy for the new qualifying format and the race itself?

Sleight - I've been working very closely with my race engineer Kieran Ryan over the practise session, and we've chosen the tyre and the strategy for qualifying. I know we have a good pace throughout a stint and over one lap so the race and qualifying should be quite interesting.

Reporter- Finally a word for your team-mate Ryan McConkey.

Sleight - Legend (laughing).

Reporter - Paul Sleight thanks very much and good luck for the rest of the weekend!

Sleight- Thank you.