Q&A: Alex Tagliani, Marcus Marshall

At Bathurst, Crash.net talked to Team Australia Champ Car drivers Alex Tagliani and Marcus Marshall. They share a V8 Supercar at Australia's toughest race track for the Bathurst 1000.

Q:
Alex, It's your first time here at Bathurst, what sort of expectations do you have?

Alex Tagliani:
It's relatively difficult to predict anything. I haven't had a feel of the track yet, setup is quite different, and I'll have to drive the car in a different way too.

Q:
Are you confident to be on the pace fairly quickly?

AT:
We're blind on everything at the moment. After Thursday it's more fair to have an expectation, though we hope to finish inside the top ten.

Q:
How does Mount Panorama compare to some of the other circuits you've raced on?

AT:
It's the most beautiful circuit I've been on. It's layout is a little like Road America, but more difficult. I hope the weather is nice to us...

Q:
The weather often does play a part here. Like Spa and the old Nurburgring, it's not a particularly forgiving circuit, is it?

AT:
It's even more unique than these tracks. There really is no room for mistakes, with the walls all around the top. It's a high speed racetrack with a big elevation change, but with tight corners, fast corners and long straights. I'd love to take a Champ Car around here.

Q:
It's a big change to come from Champ Cars into the V8s. How well are you adapting to the format?

AT:
I feel good about that. Sandown was my first time, feeling the level of grip, using a proper gearbox, it felt good.

Q:
After your time in the car at Sandown, what sort of results are you looking for at Bathurst?

AT:
Towards the end of my drive at Sandown, my laps were getting really good. If everything goes exactly to plan, I'd like to be inside the top ten.

Q:
Marcus, you're here driving with Alex before the Indy 300 on the Gold Coast. How has the mountain treated you in the past?

Marcus Marshall:
I made my debut here in 2003. I was here last year, but my co-driver crashed before I had a chance to race.

Q:
At the last round, Alex made his V8 debut at Sandown. How's he doing?

MM:
We're closely matched. He was six tenths off my pace in the dry, but we only had a few laps without rain.

Q:
It's a steep learning curve here at Bathurst. How do you expect to go this weekend?

MM:
I've driven here, in V8s, so I know what to expect. But it's still a big transition, I was seven tenths slower than Ambrose at Sandown.

Q:
So, what sort of results are you aiming for?

MM:
Realistically, I'd like a top ten finish.

Q:
And at Indy, in front of your home crowd?

MM:
The top five is where I'd like to finish, if everything comes together.

Q:
If you had to choose between a podium at Bathurst or Surfers, what would you prefer?

MM:
That's a tough question. Probably Surfers. Last year I raced there in an F3 car and won all three races, I've done well there in Formula Fords too.

Q:
You've handled the jump from saloons to open wheeled cars well. Are you interested in racing for Australia in the A1 GP?

MM:
I was asked to do it when the series started. It all conflicts with my Champ Car commitments, so I said no. Anyway, I'm happy with where I am.

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