NEWS
Drivers & Staff Q+A: Dieter Gass - Chief Race Engineer Interviewed by TMG Public Relations04.02.2006
| toyota-f1.com Interview | |
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How well prepared are you? With so many different things on the table?
I hope we are well prepared!! It will be a different season, different to 2005 for sure, with different approach to qualifying and also race strategies. It is not only the different format of qualifying we are talking about, but also different tyre rule will affect us. May be it is a bit similar to 2004 but not the same, so we have to start with a blank sheet of paper.
What is the most important thing to finish in the points? Especially in the first fly aways?
It is always not easy at the beginning of the season as we have not enough parts, we have t o travel long distances and we have logistics issues to deal with. Of course we are freshly motivated because it is the start of the season for sure so there is no shortage of motivation, but at the same time we have just come out of winter, which has no races, so it might take a bit for everyone to be on the pace. To do 3 fly away races in a trot is not easy, traveling and also time difference, etc do affect us all. So we have to aim to finish, then we think about where we finish! Reliability is going to be a key issue.
After such a good season in 2005, how is the morale of the team? How are you preparing for the season?
We always try our hardest, which is normal. The success from last year sure boosted the team morale. I feel everyone is so keen to push even harder. In this job things seem easier when you have results. The problem is we have different tyres to last year, new engine, and different tyre rule, there are so many unknown factors. So how our enthusiams will turn into good results to be honest. I know we have done a good job so far, and I am confident our level is pretty high, but everyone else does the same too....
The strength of the team is well prepared approach to the season, how will that affect the coming year?
We are on top of reliability issues, to be able to finish races is very important, however there are fewer teams with reliability problems nowadays so the advantage is not as big as it sued to be.
Both drivers in their second year with Toyota, does that help too?
There was an advantage already with Jarno as he had driven a few races with us in 2004, that is why may be Jarno was slightly ahead of Ralf in the beginning of the season. He was well settled down before the 2005 season kicked off. This year both guys have been part of the team, which is important.
What is your target?
We want to win races, which is official and unofficial target. We went up on the podium a few times in 2005, so now we have to try to win.
Lastly, can we have a message for the fans visiting the official Panasonic Toyota Racing website?
I want our target come true, so give us a hand!!
