Abu Dhabi GP - Thursday press conference - Pt.1

Drivers: Fernando Alonso (Renault), Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari), Adrian Sutil (Force India), Jarno Trulli (Toyota)

Press conference:

Q:
A question to you all. What are your reactions to seeing the Yas Island Circuit for the first time. The facilities? The circuit? Adrian, would you like to start?

Adrian Sutil:
Impressive, let's say. A very nice circuit, very big. I think it is the biggest I've ever seen. The facilities are amazing. It is going to be an interesting weekend really.

Jarno Trulli:
I think I agree. I was impressed with the facilities and the place and the circuit. So far it seems to be very well made with the surface and the kerbs. I think the run-off area so far seems pretty good. Obviously before we judge the circuit lay-out we need to have a run.

Kimi Raikkonen:
I have only seen the paddock area so far. I haven't been around the circuit yet. It looks all new and you can see a bit that it is last minute but, overall, it is a very big, massive thing and it will be one of the nicest when everything is ready.

Q:
Fernando, have you looked at it on the simulator?

Fernando Alonso:
No, no simulator for us. Not even Play Station this time. It will be the first lap tomorrow. Again, the same as all the others, I am very impressed with all the facilities. The circuit itself and the lay-out I think we need to wait until tomorrow as in the car you have always different feelings and different sensations, so I am looking forward. It will be an interesting weekend especially with the late start for the race, with the lights, so it can be quite a good show for television.

Q:
Adrian, you have tried it on the simulator, haven't you?

AS:
Yes, I tried it on the simulator. It is quite good to drive but let's say, not overwhelming, but let's see how it is in the real. It is always a different thing.

Q:
Do you think you can continue the form you have shown in the last few races here?

AS:
Well, hopefully yes. There are long straights on this circuit, so hopefully it will suit our car but it is hard to say where we are. It went really well in the last races, especially in qualifying where our pace was great. But it is a new circuit and we have no set-up here. For everybody it is a big challenge, so let's see how we go but we try to do the best out of the car and hope for a really good race.

Q:
There are a lot of right angle turns here. Do you think they will hurt the car?

AS:
Yeah, a long straight and then hairpins. Some second gear corners, some first gear corners, so actually really slow corners everywhere. I am not sure if it suits us but we will have to try and make the best out of it. But when I walked the circuit today I had quite a good feeling, so hopefully it is the truth.

Q:
What about your future? What are the chances of staying on at Force India?

AS:
Well, at the moment I am still not confirmed but we are talking with Force India for sure and it would be a good thing to do another season there. Both sides are interested and I feel really well with my team at the moment.

Q:
Jarno, a similar questions to you really, concerning your form over the last few races and your future.

JT:
I think it was really good by the team to show the performance in the last few races after a poor middle of the season. It was nice to be back fighting for the front. I think we missed a little bit of luck but all in all it was nice to prove that Toyota was bouncing back after a fantastic start to the season. But to be honest we have gone through such an up and down season that it is difficult to predict what is going to happen for this race. These hot conditions should suit our car but it is only a hope and we will only find out during the weekend. Regarding the future, I have nothing to say or add at the moment.

Q:
Are you talking to other teams as well at the moment?

JT:
I prefer not to make any speculation. Obviously I have got some options.

Q:
What are your thoughts on possibly leaving Toyota?

JT:
Obviously there is a high chance to be leaving Toyota but it difficult to say and talk about. A lot is up in the air.

Q:
Kimi, what are your thoughts on leaving Ferrari?

KR:
Well, it is not any different than a few races ago. I don't have a contract anymore with them. It is the last race and we try to make a good result and we will see what happens in the future.

Q:
Is your focus totally on Formula One or would you like to pursue your rallying career?

KR:
Basically I have a few different options and we will see what is the best one overall and then make my decision.

Q:
Would rallying be a consideration?

KR:
It is definitely one of them, but I mean it is not just Formula One and rallying. There are other things I could do and we will see what happens.

Q:
Just looking back at the second part of the season. You have only scored two points less than the person who has scored the most points. Considering that development has stopped on the car it is a pretty remarkable record, isn't it?

KR:
Yeah, I think we had a good second half. The car is definitely not the fastest but we found a pretty good way of working with the car and getting the best out of. It has been more normal to drive than for a long time before. Once you get something that you have a good feeling with, then usually you get good results. The bigger teams or the better teams who have been faster this year should have done better; better cars, better results and better points overall in the last part but they haven't and I think we did pretty well.

Q:
It seems almost unfair that the focus has been on your team-mates and how fast they have been going whereas you have been racking up points all the time.

KR:
It makes no difference for me really. I don't think they have been going very fast and they can talk to them as much as they want. We just try to score points and get good results. That has been our aim and is still our aim in the last race and hopefully we can get a bit more than McLaren.

Q:
Fernando, looking at your future and leaving Renault. What are your thoughts on those?

FA:
Well, obviously it is finishing one of the steps that you do in your career and now it is time to move forward and change team. It will be quite an emotional race as it has been many years with Renault now, seven years with them, and I know everybody in the team. Some of them after so many years are good friends to me, so for sure I will miss them in the future but a new challenge is ahead of me now and I am looking forward to next year as well.

Q:
When do you go to Ferrari for the first time? Is there a date?

FA:
No, there is not a date.

Q:
No ideas?

FA:
No, soon.

Q:
Pretty soon?

FA:
Hopefully, yes.

Q:
I know for a long time you had somewhere to live in Oxford. Are you going to have somewhere in Maranello?

FA:
No, I will be in Switzerland, where I am now, but it is not too far from Maranello. It is only three hours driving or whatever, or two, so it won't be too difficult to go there.