Brazilian Grand Prix - Formula 1

Post Race Press Conference [2003-6-April]

Drivers: Kimi Raikkonen (McLaren Mercedes) and Giancarlo Fisichella (Jordan Ford)

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Q: Kimi, what about your start, brilliant, taking the lead when you did?
Kimi Raikkonen: Yes, I think so. The first two laps were quite difficult - what were the conditions? - and so, after that, I got past the other cars and it was much easier to drive, because in the first place there was no spray from the other cars. Things were going well, and then there was a safety car and afterwards it was a good decision that we didn't come in at the first safety car. Things went quite well, the whole race. Maybe we were a little bit lucky, but a win is a win and that's all that matters.

Q: Can you just explain why you didn't come in at that first safety car period?
Kimi Raikkonen: I think that it came so quickly that we didn't make the decision quickly enough but, in the end, it was the right decision, so thanks to the team. It was a difficult race because the conditions were so bad and the safety car was out so often, but I'm pretty happy.

Q: You were losing time to David [Coulthard] towards the end there, what was the problem?
Kimi Raikkonen: I think so because I came in later and the tyres were newer than his and they then were graining more and they were almost slicks and I wasn't able to push so hard.

Q: Moving to Giancarlo, on a circuit you love and Jordan's 200th Grand Prix, so nearly a fairytale ending for you….
Giancarlo Fisichella: Yes, it was a great day anyway. First of all, I have to say that I am very disappointed for two reasons - first of all for Fernando, I hope that he's alright, and then also because I won the race but the rules say that when there is a red flag, the result is taken from one lap before [two laps in fact], so I am very sorry about that. But I never thought I would finish in second position, so it's a great day anyway.

Q: Was there a moment when Eddie Jordan and the team were saying ‘Giancarlo, you've won?'
Giancarlo Fisichella: Well, yes, we really believed that just after the race. It was an amazing moment but, unfortunately, I finished second. Anyway, as I told you, it's a fantastic result. I would like to say thanks to the team, we did a fantastic strategy and it's a very important result for us and we will keep going for the future which is very important.

Q: A lot of drivers went off in that section after turn two - tell us about the water there and what the problem was?
Giancarlo Fisichella: Yeah, it was very difficult, driving in those conditions, especially for us with intermediate tyres, there were a few rivers in turn three. It was very very scary. You know lots of cars spun off there. But I drove very safely, I think I did a fantastic race and I'm happy.

Press conference

Q: Kimi, tell us about the conditions, especially at the start. Give us some idea of how difficult it was?
Kimi Raikkonen: Of course, the start is always difficult because you don't know how the circuit is, but the first few laps were extremely difficult, especially when you're behind someone, because you don't see the corners and the cars in front of you and you're guessing all the time. After I got into first place, it was much easier because I saw the corners and things were going much better then.

Q: Did the safety car come in at about the right time after the start? Did you feel that there was a drying line?
Kimi Raikkonen: No. I think it was still okay but, in the end, it all worked well for me because I didn't come in at the first safety car period and it was a good decision.

Q: Did you change onto dry tyres?
Kimi Raikkonen: No, no. When I came in, we just put more fuel in, new tyres. I think we dropped a couple of places, but we were still behind the leaders and I was able to overtake a couple of cars after that and gain places, but then the circuit started to dry up and I had some difficulties with tyres. It took quite a few laps before they started to get quicker and quicker and David was pulling away, but just before all these things happened I was catching him a little bit and I was quite happy.

Q: When Giancarlo overtook you, what happened there?
Kimi Raikkonen: Actually the tyres, after I had problems with them, they came back and then they went off again and it was a bit too slippery and I lost the rear grip in the middle of the corner and I just ran wide and Giancarlo got past me. Okay, we were a bit lucky that we won the race but, anyhow, first place is what counts and I'm not complaining.

Q: It might seem strange that you won again after your first win two weeks ago, but history actually relates that a number of drivers have won again after their debut win. But this was a little bit luckier, wasn't it?
Kimi Raikkonen: Oh yes, but I've also been quite unlucky in some places and I know how it feels to lose a race with a couple of laps to go. But that's racing and it's the same for everyone and we were slightly more lucky than maybe some others. It was good, I'm very happy and the team did a great job and the car was working perfectly. The Michelins were very good when it was very wet.

Q: Was the car set up for full wet, or was there more you would have liked to have done?
Kimi Raikkonen: No, actually we don't need to change the set-up too much from wet to dry. It seems to be pretty good in both conditions and that's a good thing because if we have races like this and also especially with the new regulations where you are not allowed to change anything, it's very good.

Q: Giancarlo, you must have gone through all the emotions in the last 20 minutes of that?
Giancarlo Fisichella: Yes. It was not so good conditions, especially for us with intermediate tyres, but we managed to keep the car on the road. The car was so nervous, and there was a lot of aquaplaning but, anyway, I think I did a good job and I am very pleased about that. It is fantastic and I would like to say thanks to the team. I am a little bit disappointed because I could have won the race, but for the rules.

Q: You came in on the last lap of the safety car, or virtually the last lap of the safety car. What was the thinking behind that?
Giancarlo Fisichella: Well, I was talking a lot with the team and we decided to refuel and try to the end. It was the right shape and I'm very pleased about that.

Q: So you could have got right through to the end with only one stop…
Giancarlo Fisichella: Honestly, it was on the limit. At the beginning, we had a lot of fuel and then, at the end, the intermediate tyre was good so…

Q: Do you think you might have been on the top step?
Giancarlo Fisichella: It is fantastic now. We are already did well on Friday and Saturday with the car set-up and it wasn't too bad. We didn't believe we could get onto the podium today, so it is fantastic.

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