April 09, 2004
Yet another exciting qualifying session, the top 3 drivers share their views on how things went.

Pole Position - Scott Whiteman (EIRE)

Another great qualifying performance Scott, how was your lap?

Considering the fuel load i have on board i am quite pleased with the lap, i have decided to go with a safe strategy here as the track is quite dangerous and very easy to make mistakes.

After a close call with Mikko in Sepang, are you looking to be more dominant here in Austria?

Well the track is not one of my favourites so i will settle with just making it to the chequered flag and consolidating my lead at the top of the championship.

Your team-mate Ross Loram was in a strong 8th place. does this motivate the whole team?

Well Ross is really starting to show his true potential as a GP driver and hopefully the qualification results will continue to translate into increased race performance. Of course it motivates the team, it pushes me to keep performing and gives the test drivers a reason to keep improving the car.

There were rumours leaking from the EIRE camp during the week that you would be dropped for Tim Williams to come into the team, any comment on these?

Well we just need to wait and see, obviously i have signed a contract for the year, but theres nothing to stop management putting me out of a race seat.

2nd - Steve Elencevski (FinOz)

Great drive Steve, and just 0.034 off Whiteman, how was your lap?

My lap was pretty good, but not perfect. I felt i could have been quicker through the first & third sectors on that particular run, but it's only qualifying & it's the race that really counts.

FinOz are in great shape here, can you and Kari make it past Whiteman?

We hope so! The weather suited our tyres in qualifying so we got the most out of them over the one lap, but if the conditions change on race day it could be difficult. We have been working on our race pace & its one area we need a slight improvement. We got a bit closer in Malaysia and we think we can get even closer here if our tyres hold out over long runs.

Strategy is very important here, do you think you are on the right one?

I think we could be in good shape for the race, we'll just have to see how the race unfolds after everyone has pitted. Our aim is to get both cars to the end & score some points.

3rd - Kari Koski (FinOz)

Welcome to the press conference Kari! How was qualifying?

Thanks, it's nice to be here. I was quite suprised when i saw i was 3rd quickest, my qualifying went pretty well, car was superb and i hope for good race.

The FinOz packages looks to be really hooked up here, are you confident before the race?

Yes, as i said the car feels great and i hope i can finish high, maybe on the podium at the race.

In the last round, your car had mechanical trouble. Do you think these problems have been ironed out?

I sure hope so. You never know, anything can happen at the race. Race will be long 71 lapper, but i'm confident that all problems are sorted out and we have a good race.

Do you have any other comments to make after qualifying?

I think this qualifying really proofs how strong the FinOz Racing team really is.