Q & A with Oliver Jarvis

Q: What were your expectations coming here?

Oliver Jarvis: "Top three and try to win it! I think the team took a very safety first approach and we started off quite steady. We then just progressed from there. If you look at each session we made progress. Maybe in qualifying yesterday that wasn't apparent, but we didn't use new tyres and I made a big mistake on my quick lap.

"So we knew going into second qualifying that we had a very good chance and we made a few changes to the car. I think, however, we are going to have to make some more changes because I have just been told we are very slow on the straight. I will be having a word with my engineer about that because for the race here, if you are not quick on the straight then you have no chance."

Q: You were at the top of the timing screens for much of the session before Kodai Tsukakoshi took the pole spot in the final minute. You then responded almost instantly. Did you feel in control of that session?

Jarvis: "Yeah. I always seemed to be able to react. Whenever anyone set a quick time I was able to beat it. But with Macau you never know. On my last lap I got a clear lap, but I could have had traffic or even yellow flags, so I was very fortunate.

"But at the same time I think we were the quickest car throughout the session. I am delighted for the TOM's team, the new sponsor Reckless and also Toyota - the first time with their new engine."

Q: At Macau, because of the long run down to Lisboa and the slipstream effect, the guy who starts second can have an advantage here. What is your plan to overcome that?

Jarvis: "To be honest, it doesn't matter where you start here - the guy behind has an advantage. I just wanted to be top five for the race, so if I lose pole position off the start then it is not a big problem. Okay, maybe I make the first corner (Lisboa) fourth but from there you can fight.

"For the first race you are just really looking for top three because then you can fight for the win in race two. I will be trying to hold on to the lead and pull away but it is going to be very difficult because of the big slipstream."

Q: The top three drivers in qualifying all raced in the Japanese F3 championship this year. Do you think this result will make people appreciate the series even more now?

Jarvis: "I hope so. It is so under-rated. I went there from the British championship and for me it is much stronger than the British series. I have had one of the toughest and best years racing so far.

"I've learned a lot and I think it shows here. I have matured through the year and hopefully now people will start to respect the Japanese championship a bit more. It is very tough, there are some very good drivers coming out of it."

Q: And the tactics tomorrow? How aggressive are you in the fight for positions?

Jarvis: "It is a compromise between attacking but also being very aware that tomorrow you can lose it all, but you can't really win it - if you know what I mean. I will err on the side of caution.

"Anywhere in the top five you can win the race on Sunday, so it would be nice to finish on the podium and win it - but the real goal is Sunday."