Friday press conference

Heinz-Harald Frentzen, Eddie Irvine, Pedro de la Rosa, Ron Dennis, Jean Todt and Frank Williams

Q. First of all, may we have some general comments on the circuit from the drivers? Eddie, would you like to start?
Eddie Irvine: It's like a mix between Monza and Budapest. The infield is very slow. In fact, it's a bit slower than Budapest in many areas. Then you've also got this very fast section, which is quite easily flat at the minute. In the rain it could be spectacular, although in the dry it's not much of an issue. But it's definitely a good venue. There's probably a little work to be done on the circuit to maximise it, but it's not a bad start.

EI: It was a bit weird because the track is so wide. You have a lot of white lines as well and you've also got a little kerb to show you where the apex is. From a distance, as you're coming down into it at speed, it's quite an insignificant thing to see. When you walk it, it looks a lot wider than it seems when you're driving the F1 car because it seems like a little white line.

Heinz-Harald Frentzen: Yeah, sure. It's easy. One hand. But that's because we're running a lot of downforce for this track. Generally, from what I've seen, most of the people are running Spa downforce. Some people went out with a lower downforce level, and it looks as though that's going to be the way to go.

Pedro de la Rosa: The track is quite good, although there are two corners which are too slow, first gear. For me the track is quite interesting because of the long straight and the banking and then the very slow infield. So I think for the race it will be interesting. I'm pretty sure we'll end up with very low downforce set-ups, just to overtake. The only thing I didn't really like is the surface, it is too slippery. There's a lot of sliding and skating - the tyres don't seem to be working very well. We cannot generate enough grip out of them. So, apart from that it's okay. I just hope it does not rain because of the banking corners.

Frank Williams: I don't need to add to what the drivers have said about the circuit. All I care about a racing circuit is; a) it allows easy overtaking and b) the event is run the same for everybody. Whether it's a good track or difficult track, the team with the best mental and technical approach will do most of the winning. I'm more interested in what the people are going to write on Monday morning. This is a big opportunity for Bernie in particular. He has worked very hard to bring F1 back to the United States. We couldn't wish for a better start and Monday matters very much to me.

Ron Dennis: I was pleasantly surprised at the very positive comments our drivers made about the circuit. They both enjoyed the practice sessions, even though they were a little shorter for them than we would have liked. From my own perspective, obviously the facilities are very good, there's plenty of space, which makes life just that much easier from a logistical point of view. Of course, you can always improve, but it's clear that a lot of effort has gone into making it a successful Grand Prix. And, of course, as Frank has pointed out, it's important to all of us that it's a success and that a positive response for Formula 1 is achieved. Irrespective of the weather, that will be the case. The big difference between us running here and the other categories of cars is the engine note. That's the bit that still gives me a tingle: when you hear an engine at 17,000-odd revs down a relatively confined space such as we have here. That's what it's all about. I'm expecting the spectators will be enthusiastic about the dynamics of F1 racing. I know it will be a little more processional than they would normally experience, but I don't think that will be an issue at the end of the day. I think it's going to be a good race.

Jean Todt: It's great to be back in the States for an F1 Grand Prix. The organisers did a great job. I think everybody was surprised to see the facilities, to see the space available to the teams. The people around are very, very friendly and very enthusiastic to see F1. It's very encouraging.

JT: Next year we will supply two teams with our engine, Prost and Sauber. It is an important decision but we are opening a completely new shop, completely independent from Scuderia Ferrari, which will be in sole charge of supplying engines for our two clients. In terms of supply, the engine will be one year behind the one we are using during the season. It is important as an income for Ferrari, for the team.

RD: Nothing has changed from the previous races. The objective that David should have and does have is to qualify on pole and try to win the race. Of course, that's the same objective for Mika. It's easier said than done. If a situation develops where it's in the interest of the team for us to intercede in the outcome of the race to optimise the World Championship, we'll do it. That's something that we have the contractual right to do, at the first Grand Prix and in any Grand Prix. The simple fact is that we've done it about three times in the last ten years, to my knowledge. Possibly it will not occur here. The most important thing to always remember is that an incident between Michael and Mika could see David win the race and he'd be back in championship contention. If he can contribute to the outcome of the race, then we will step in; and if we step in, then we will make that known to all the media. But so far this year we haven't had to do it.

RD: No.

FW: Clearly, he is a very talented driver. I don't think he's done anything but learn and improve by racing over here for two seasons. After all, the CART cars have 900 horsepower, which is embarrassingly more than we have. Beyond saying those words, no one can be sure exactly what his achievements may or may not be. And whether we all like it or not, all drivers' achievements are covered by the team and its equipment; and his success will be very much a measure of our possible success. I think it will be exciting to watch that.

FW: Very modest, going down to slim.

FW: I would rather be not pessimistic. I take a very simple view of how difficult F1 is, and always remind myself how good these guys are. They're one second a lap quicker than everybody else. They don't have any miraculous powers, they're just very, very good at what they're doing. We have a reasonable idea of their assets, the people, the strength and depth of both of those teams. It's just not an easy achievement to overtake or even run with them. So I would rather talk small and maybe deliver big than talk big and deliver not.

FW: We hope so. Every team principal who signs up a driver hopes he's acquiring somebody who's better than his present incumbents. But there's no telling. It's not really on my mind right now.

FW: That's very simple: it's because we were also talking to Ralf. We had begun to talk to Ralf Schumacher and Ralf had spent the first 18 months driving for Eddie, flying off the road. There were two theories: either he didn't know what he was doing; or he was just exploring the limits. And in the last half of the year, about the time we became interested in '98, he was putting in some steady, sensible and fast drives. We didn't go for Juan only because Ralf had two years of critical experience. It was such a close decision, that fixed it.

FW: Not as a firm decision. But I repeat, we had a verbal commitment. And Jenson and his management knew the way the contract was constructed. There was no sleight of hand.