Alex Yoong Q&A

"Minardi gave me the first test two weeks ago at Mugello, and that went very well. Over one and half days I got about 60 or 70 laps. It was a new car, a new circuit, the first time on grooved tyres and left foot braking as well, all at once!"



"Yeah, I've got some sponsorship possibilities. There are some companies in Malaysia who are obviously very interested in F1."



"There is a slight possibility I guess. It really depends on how much testing I can get done. At the same time F1 is what everyone looks for, and if I was given the opportunity it would be very difficult for me to say no. "



"It could happen. But I still think it's hard, because there's a lot more stuff I've got to sort out first."



"I'm struggling a bit this year in Japan. I'm driving with Team Le Mans, a very good team, but I'm running with no budget at all really. What we really need is a new chassis for this year. I'm using Motoyama's old chassis from last year. I had a shunt at the beginning of last year and destroyed my chassis, and there weren't any available. It's about 10-15kgs heavier than everyone else's. It's not a big difference, but it's something. The next race is at Sugo."



"Yes, the racing is fantastic. The Japanese know the circuits and the cars, year in year out, and they always do a good job. It's very competitive and very challenging."



"That's the problem. I haven't been able to find any sponsors for Nippon. We've been sending out feelers for F1, and everyone's like, 'Yeah!'. And there we are struggling along in Nippon with no budget at all, and only thanks to Team Le Mans that I'm racing."



"No, they just want F1. That's all Malaysia knows, F1."



"Well yes, the race organisers are under new management now, and they're very keen for me to come and help them. Whereas in the past it's been very much me offering my services to promote the event, and they weren't interested at all. But now with the new management they're much more interested."