Impressions of the New Fuji International Speedway
• Ralf, you drove the old Fuji International Speedway when you were driving Formula Nippon, right? What do you remember of the course as it was back then?
I remember the long straight-aways. It was a fun circuit, where you could catch and pass the drivers in front of you. I liked the scenery, too.

• Do you have any special memories of that time?
Yes. When I won the championship. The final race of the 1996 Formula Nippon was at Fuji. You know, I actually first visited Fuji in 1993. I came to Fuji after the Macao GP…I was acting as the mechanic then!

• Oh, really? In 1996, you won the pole position here. Was Fuji one of your favorite courses?
Yes, I really liked the course. And at the time, I had been living about 20km from [Fuji International Speedway] near Yamanaka Lake.

• So, please tell us your impressions of the new Fuji International Speedway. (At this point, Ralf had driven one lap around the circuit during the morning)
It has become very modern, hasn’t it? The course layout is different, and the pit facilities are completely outfitted. It looks like there are a few overtake points as well.

• What are the differences between then and now?
I think the biggest change is that the new circuit is wider, including the run-off area. There are fewer bumps, and the track is a lot smoother. There’s no doubt this is a good layout.

What Car does Ralf Drive Personally?
• May we ask a few personal questions?
O.K.

• How many different languages do you speak?
Just English and German. Japanese is too difficult. I guess I should learn some, though, now that I think about it.

• What type of cuisine do you like?
Italian. Especially pasta.

• Do you drink?
You know, I have never had a drink of alcohol. I’m a driver, right? That’s my job. I don’t smoke, either. Never tried it. I have tried cigars…I didn’t like it.

• What car do you drive personally?
I drive a Lexus LS430. The big one. I got it last year.

• What kind of music do you like?
Just easy listening. I almost always have the radio on when I'm traveling in the car. It's just kind of background noise; I don't pay much attention to it.

• By the way, which is your strongest leg? Does that affect your braking?
Actually, my right leg is stronger, I think. But braking is a different story. The car (Toyota F1 car) is a left-foot brake, so the car has to be adjusted so strong pressure can be applied even using the left foot.

Towards Realizing the Dream
• What did you want to be when you were a child?
A policeman [laughs]. No, actually, I was into motorsports from a very young age, so I didn’t even consider anything else.

• Do you have any advice for fans who dream of becoming an F1 driver like you?
You know, it's hard to come up with a message that will really help.well, first, you have to see yourself in motorsports-you have to love sport, and believe that you can make it. Then you have to take action one step at a time. You can't start in CART and then hope to jump right into F1; you need to think of the next practical step. That's really what Michael and I did. Fortunately, both of us had some talent, so we were able to move up through to the top of each category. But at the same time, realistically, at this point in our careers we have to rely on more than just our own talent-we need a support system. It takes a lot of money, so it's not that easy.

• You're saying there's no magic formula to becoming a top driver?
Yeah, unfortunately there isn’t. If there were, we’d use it many, many times to be able to drive good races. No, there’s no such thing.

• Last, please tell us what your goals are with Toyota.
Of course, I am looking forward to the day I become champion, but I think there is a lot of work between now and then. The first step is to win as many points as we can. And if we can make it to the winner’s stand a number of times along the way, no one will be happier than I.