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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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May 14, 2004
Talking to F1VWC Pit Reporter Toby Lock were Pole sitter Scott Whiteman (EIRE), 2nd placed Steve Elencevski (FinOz) and 3rd on the grid Andreas Wagner (Puma F1).

Pole - Scott Whiteman (EIRE - Jaguar)

Q - Well done Scott, another pole. How did it go?

The lap was quite safe, just making sure that i made no errors, i didn't expect it to be pole!

Q - Engine problems ruined your chances in Imola, can the Eire hold on this time?

I'd like to think so.

Q - Mikko took over top spot in the Championship after your retirement, can you take it back here?

If everything falls into place i'm sure its possible.

2nd - Steve Elencevski (FinOz - Ferrari (c))

Q - Well done Steve, how did it go?

My lap went quite well, so i'm very pleased about being on the front row again & optimistic of a better race result this time.

Q - How important is it to be competitive at a circuit such as Barcelona?

Very important. We have been suffering with major tyre wear in our past few races, so we have been testing heavy loads in free practise. Strategy is also important & we feel that we are on the right track for the race.

Q - Team Boss and co-driver Kari Koski was obviously very disappointed with the performance in Imola. Can the FinOz team make a difference here in the race?

Imola was a total disaster. Everything that could go wrong in a race, did go wrong for us. Our tyres we're blistering after only a few laps, therefore we struggled for consistency with lap times, so that's something we hope we have ironed out for the race & i think we can challenge for podium positions.

3rd - Andreas Wagner (Puma F1 - Porsche)

Q - Welcome Andreas to your first qualifying press conference of the year! How was your lap?

I am pleased to be here in that press conference. My lap was nearly perfect, I only had problems in middle sector, that's why I lost some time there. Besides of the low motor perfomance, the PumaF1 works very fine, we have found a very good setup, that fixes to my driving style.

Q - You have been very fast in the last two qualifying sessions, what has changed?

In the first races we had to drive with the old PumaF1. Since Imola we have a better made car. Also the work inside the team is now better and we could improve further our setups. In Imola I knew, that I have a chance to be competitive but here in Barcelona I calculated with a place outside Top 10, therefore I am very surprised to be 3rd.

Q - A slightly disappointing result in Imola, can you make the points here this time around?

The race in Imola was very disappointing, I hope, that I am able to give my team the first points as a present. The guys really deserved it, they do a very good job. Unfortunetely I have some problems with concentrating about a complete race distance, but I will try the best.

Q - Anything else to add Andreas?

I want to thank all, who gave me the chance, to be a part of that simracing. My discoverer Carsten Schmidt, who gave me the chance to drive a Grand Prix 3 car in one of the best german teams around. And Willy Ponissi, who facilitates me to get into that superb league. I again want to thank my team for that great support.