After such an enthralling race, what did the participants actually think of the battles on track? Check out the thoughts of winner Steve Elencevski (FinOz), 2nd place Daniel Wilkinson (Phoenix F1) and 3rd place Kieran Ryan (SCUM).
Winner ? Steve Elencevski (FinOz - Ferrari (c))
This result has come just at the right time for your Drivers Championship chances, with Mikko finishing down in 5th. 10 points, two races ? what are your thoughts at the moment?
"It definitely has come at the right time and I now look back to what happened to me at Monaco where i lost a sure 2nd place & therefore lost 5 points due to plank wear, but these things we're expected to happen in our first year. Nevertheless, this a great result and if we can finish the last 2 races on the same note with Mikko finishing further down the order & few driver's in between, then there is a slight chance of winning the championship."
This has to have been one of the best races of the year so far. Once you gained the advantage you never looked like losing the race, but the battle behind was fraught. Did you feel under pressure here?
"I did feel a little under pressure during the race not knowing what fuel loads the other guys had, but i honestly wasn't at all worried about the gap to pole position as i knew i had a great race car. We worked really hard on setting up the car for the race where i could push hard on the long runs without any major drop off in lap times. I must say it was a fantastic race, especially the battle for 2nd place in the last few laps, but i'm glad i came away with the win."
Did you know that Mikko had problems in two of his Pit Stops? He thinks he would have been second but for the time lost? But probably of more concern for you is that your team-mate had a reliability issue. What?s the situation there?
"I didn't know about Mikko's pit-stop problems, but i hope he has a few more in the next 2 races! The reliability issue with Kari's car is of concern and we hope we don't have any more DNF's at such a crucial part of the season, especially myself."
Next up is Suzuka, a technically challenging circuit. How do you see your chances there?
"Once again it's a circuit where we have no data to go by, so we have to start from scratch in regards to set-up, so we have a lot of work to do. Other than that, i like the circuit and will again drive on the limit until the chequered flag. A victory is very important as i need to come away with maximum points to take the title showdown to Brazil."
2nd - Daniel Wilkinson (Phoenix F1 - Renault)
A magnificent effort, even though I am biased! The whole race was close, but in the last 6 laps you went from 2nd, to 3rd, to 4th and back up to 2nd and held onto that place by the smallest of margins. What was it like out there under those competitive conditions?
"It was very helpful actually! To have Kieran and Fernando dancing round in my mirrors woke me up and forced me drive better. I drove a really bad race and am feeling so lucky to be sitting here in 2nd place. I drove like a headless monkey in my third stint! I just couldnt concentrate for some reason. It was like Mckonkeys babes were on every corner, distracting me from the job at hand!"
The Phoenix F1 team are obviously very pleased with the outcome as they now start to creep up on EIRE?s 3rd spot in the Constructors. Two races left, 11 points the difference. Can the team do it?
"Yep. If Tony has some good luck for once then we'll take 3rd. Unless of course EIRE start scoring consistently in the final races."
You?re closing in on your last two races before retirement. How do you feel at the moment, and is there one last win in you before you leave the F1VWC?
"You never know when you're going to win so I won't count out another, especially as I could've won here."
3rd - Kieran Ryan (SCUM - Holden)
Congratulations on adding to an entertaining race! Lap 70 seems to have been pivotal! Wilkinson took both you and Laaff, but you also managed to pass Laaff and hold on to the end. Did you have fun out there?
''Yes it was a good race for all concerned, was fun for me too. But I guess losing 2nd by only 0.3 or whatever it was is a little annoying but however I can't bitch after all I won Monza by a second only so what comes around goes around. 3rd is very important for not only the team but for me on a personal level.
This track means a lot to me and it's good that I can still continue my streak of podiums at this track (in one leagueor another). The traffic was however an annoying part. I started lapping people by lap 9 or 10 and it most cases the backmarkers either didn't want to see me or plain just blocked me, so that was a fustrating part. My 4 stopper I believed worked. Losing a possible win by 9 seconds is comforting in a small way I guess - would have been better to win it of course, but I'm happy still although looks like Daniel will give me a run for my 4th in the championship before he retires so I'll have to make sure he doesn't become a problem for me."
On reflection, you needed to get past Laaff to stave off the MMC Racing threat to SCUM's Constructor's position. The team must be very aware that they are now catching up. Can the team hold on until the end of the season?
"Yes indeed. Peter is doing his best and it's not easy for me been the only points scorer for SCUM at the moment (no offense there to Peter) but I'll do my best to keep MMC behind me. You never know, Shiro may make one last return before the season's conclusion. I was him I would as it would be important for him and the team to have him drive his last race as champion with the no.1."
You've had many moves across many teams this season, but have hit a rich vein of form recently. How does this prepare you for 2005?
"It motivates me more so, especially after Monza. Winning there...I'll never forget it! Another podium helps stablise my position in the championship but more so, helps me focus more on what's to come for 2005 and onwards. I achieved everything I wanted to this year, pole, win, fastest lap, and some other podiums. This will help me keep my head up and fight harder next year and I do look forward to a championship challanging year next year with my experienced American team mate Jason; and to work with Andy again will be a dream."
With just 2 races left before the season concludes, does the concentration level seem to waver at the conclusion in Brazil?
"It does to be honest. A driver tends to have his contract for the next year signed and he really wants to either get on and start that partnership or just rest now for that year. It's a bit of both to me but I do get back to relaity and think, I still have a job left to do and I still wanna fight for more points, and wins if possible.''
