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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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August 22, 2004
Pole man Steve Elencevski (FinOz), 2nd quickest Paul Sleight (MMC Racing) and 3rd on the grid Kieran Ryan (Phoenix F1) answered questions from F1VWC News' very own Toby Lock!

Pole - Steve Elencevski (FinOz - Ferrari (c))

Great result Steve, how did it go?

I have to say i was surprised to get pole position due to lack of track time, otherwise i'm very pleased with it all. I didn't quite nail that lap, but i won't complain, starting 1st here at Hungary is very crucial.

Your main title contenders are in difficult positions on the grid, and it is difficult to pass here in Hungary, can you hold them off for the victory?

We believe we have a great package here & we're quite optimistic of a strong result & that even goes for Kari who is starting 14th on the grid. As for Scott & Mikko, we'll just have to see how it all goes during the race in regards to strategies & even more importantly, getting past backmarker's without any dramas.

Only a few races left, can you take the title?

I'm really not even thinking about the title, i'm just taking every race as it comes. There's a 21 point gap to Mikko with only 5 races remaining, but anything can happen & we'll continue to fight until the chequered flag in Brazil.

2nd - Paul Sleight (MMC Racing - BMW)

Great result Paul, how did it go?

Not bad, Im disappointed to miss out on pole though as i feel i could have found a few more tenths.

You have been unlucky with DQ's in recent qualifying sessions, how satisfying is it to finally show off some of your speed?

Feels great, but of course the race is the place to really regain some dignity.

We're nearing the end of the season, where does your money lie for the title?

Has to be Mikko for me.

3rd - Kieran Ryan (Phoenix F1 - Renault)

Top job Kieran, how did it go?

Difficult. The whole weekend's been like that, just having a car that has some understeer issues, but we did work them out after a while and we found some pace, there was a little sliding of the rear during my lap but besides that, the car behaved itself.

Another race, another team, it must be getting difficult for you to remember which race suit to put on! Have you sorted out anything permanent for 2005?

Ah this joke never ends! But yes, I have agreed upon a deal for 2005 and possibly 2006, just the fine details have to be hammered out, so for once you should see me in the same car for more than one race I hope. The announcement should come in time for Belgium.

Difficult to pass here, can you out-drag Paul and Steve to the first corner?

It's a tricky circuit and I'm starting on the dirty side which won't help here but with my strategy onboard I think I have a car that I can push really hard with and rely upon the guys to do a good job at the pitstop. If I finished here in 3rd I think I'd be amazed. This track is VERY tricky - and 77 laps of it doesn't make it easier!

Lastly, who will win the world title?

This year? Well I think Mikko has a commandable lead and I think he'll take it, probaly before Brazil, while Scott and Steve are chasing him hard, the gap is just too big at the moment. But he has won it once already, with me chasing him in 2nd, so maybe it's someone else's turn. I just wish that it was a little closer then it is now, but maybe it'll get tighter soon.