August 31, 2004
The scene is set after a dry Friday Free Practice at the Spa-Francorchamp circuit, as the Phoenix F1 team call a Press Conference. And out walks team boss Andy Graydon with Kieran Ryan (wearing MMRT overalls at this event). Mumbling starts amongst the assembled press core, with common theme along the lines of "they must have got him at long last"!

Graydon then made the following statement:-

"I'm sure you're all aware of my great admiration for the skills of the young man sitting alongside me, Kieran Ryan. And it is no secret that I have been in regular contact with him regarding a race driver seat for my team - since we first started up in October 2002. Believe me, we nearly got him signed up for a full 2004 season, but the deal fell through late in the day!

However, having seen Kieran perform in the car twice this year as one of our many stand-in replacements for Fretter, I was suitably impressed that he was the main target for us to fill a permanent race seat in 2005. Having driven against him in GPVWC 2002, I knew he had the talent to be a front runner. I believe that the Phoenix F1 environment, of support and friendship and equality of status, would be more conducive to helping him grow AND achieve his ultimate goal of victory and challenging for the Championship than was the case in 2002. Indeed, Phoenix F1 are looking for those exact same aims in 2005.

Kieran's management contacted us a few weeks ago saying he was available for 2005, but that he was talking to a few teams. We didn't need much encouragement to start immediate talks on a 2005 race deal. With some to-ing and fro-ing on the contract side, we finally signed and concluded a deal a couple of days ago. To say I was elated would be an understatement!"

The press audience, by now buzzing with anticipation, then asked Kieran his thoughts on signing to Phoenix F1 for 2005:

What made you choose Phoenix F1 above any other team for 2005?

"Because I wanted a firm offer from a good team before Belgium came and Andy was the first to chat to me about 2005 and before I knew it we were working out the deal. It took a little time to get all the fine details worked out but it's finally been arranged. This team is certainly moving places, along with their Renault partnership I can be sure of a Championship winning car next year - which coincides with my targets too. This team is also well organised by the great skills of Andy Graydon. I think he makes a most suitable manager and CEO of a team because he himself has driving experience behind him and he knows what must be done and what can be done by all and thus this steers his team to success and I'm sure with my help we can achieve great things in the near future!"

We understand you and Andy have tried to put a deal together in the past for both seasons 2003 and 2004, so how does it feel to have actually completed that for season 2005?

"Indeed! Andy's been hunting me down since the end of 2002 to drive for his team but he seemed to miss out, but this time he wasn't gonna miss out again and he was the first to talk to me about 2005 and offered me exactly what I wanted and when I wanted it. There's a lot to be accomplished yet by this team and I look forward to that challange next year.

I've already been lucky enough to drive for them this year which worked out for myself and Andy in a similar way - we both got to see what it was like with me in the team and I think it worked very well. I've achieved a 2nd and 3rd slot on the grid with the team and 8 points with them so the stability and reliabilty is here, which is key for me to making my decision. They've a fast engine and fast car and hopefully I'll be having a fast team mate (which I believe should be announced soon enough), and that's all I look for in a team - hence why I'll be driving for them in 2005 and with an option for 2006. I could be set here for a few years yet!"

What are your expectations for season 2005, both as a driver and for the team?

"I hunger and long for my debut win as does the team which dually will motivate both sides to achieve just that. With the expectation of further development of the 2004 car for 2005 and some increased horsepower, I feel our chances of doing just that will be reached. If I can be pushed hard by my team mate and I have a capable car underneath me then hopefully I can achieve my goals that I'll have set out for 2005."

How does it feel knowing that you will be driving for 1 team for a whole season for the first time since 2002?

"I think it will do me a lot of good. When you move from one team to another through a season you lose the vital stability every driver should have and it has becomes a somewhat hermit mission to succeed from there on. With one team for next year onwards, I won't be so distracted with things outside the car anymore, I can just focus on concentrating on improving every aspect of my racing."

How do you plan to move forward in your targets for next year?

"I think after Brazil, like I usually do, I'll take a break and simply relax and enjoy the time off. I'll have done 30 GP's in this league by then and with each of those grand prix I've learned different things and applied different skills. I've been fortunate to have been partner to some great names: Mikko Jakonen, Daniel Wilkinson for starters. You can learn a great deal from each driver, and I feel those 2 in particular have helped me go faster and faster to try and beat them, and on some occassions I have and some I haven't, but that's the fun of it, just trying to beat them; all of which improves your skills as a driver and sets your goals in mind."

And with that last question, Kieran excused himself as he had to attend an MMRT post Free Practice debrief.

Andy Graydon would not be drawn on Kieran's team-mate for 2005, with the press asking whether or not Irisarri had gone past his "shelf life". Andy responded:-

"I would not compare Antonio to an out of date can of beans, young man! Since his mid season break, he has had a difficult time re-adjusting to the way the car has improved - plus he has had some minor gremlins which haven't enabled him to feel his usual confident self. However, here in Belgium - the scene of an awsome performance from him in the post season 2003 Gold Cup race - we are expecting him to come back fighting."

But is Irisarri in the running for a 2005 race seat?

"That's for me and Antonio to know, and you to ponder and write about!"

And with that, Graydon left the Press chattering away to each other as they rubbed hands at another potential lead storyline for their back pages!