Marc Hynes Q&A

Q: How do you feel the BAR test went?
"It went really well. The first 25 laps was a case of feeling my way in, but after a while on the track it doesn't feel strange to be in an F1 car at all. The first morning I learnt a lot, so I was able to jump in for my second stint today and felt straight at home immediately. The main thing about the test was to learn as much as possible, because it was such a great opportunity. This will all come in very useful the next time I drive one, which hopefully won't be too far away."


"I don't know yet, we're going to have to discuss it. Considering I've had a year out of full-time racing, I think I did a respectable job. I got a good feel for the car but I know I need to find a tenth on the brakes and carry more speed through the quick stuff, but it was all coming. I only did 50 laps, which isn't that much, and it's a pretty difficult track to come to with no prior experience. I don't think I was able to show my maximum potential because of my year out, but at least I feel everything is coming back on course for me. Overall, I feel it went well, and I just hope I get another chance. The next step would be a big, extended run in the car. I really enjoyed it...we'll see."


"They're all absolutely mega. It's a really good atmosphere and they've got a big presence in the pitlane. The people are easy to work with - they're all really cool but work very hard. The preparation is a massive step ahead of anything I've seen before. Even though there's a lot of people involved, it's all well managed and everyone knows exactly what they're doing. Everything went like clockwork - it was a privilege to be able to work with them really."


"It was nice to be with them. Obviously we were on separate programmes, and I was running on 2000 tyres as opposed to the quicker 2001 tyres. They were busy with their own things, but I had a good chat with Panis and asked him about a few things. He's a really nice guy and I think he's going to be a valuable asset to the team, because he's settled into it really well. JV was in the car all day, so I didn't get chance to speak to him."


"Definitely the downforce - it just increases and increases the faster you go, which means going through the quick stuff is an amazing feeling. The power was just another step ahead, just like an F3000 is more powerful than an F3. Getting the best out of new tyres was difficult, and I think that's something which comes from experience of them. Just like any other formula, it's a case of learning about the car so you can drive it quicker. It's the pinnacle of the sport and, being behind the wheel, it felt like it."


"Without doubt. I've won every championship I've contested leading up to it, so I'd like to opportunity to do more running in this...then, well, you never know, do you?"


"It went well too. I was quicker than Dan Wheldon [who has signed for the team already] and fiddled with the car and progressed things with it. The engineer had a list of stuff he wanted to work though, which was good because the car got better. I really enjoyed it and set the fastest time they'd ever done at the track before."


"I don't know for sure, but it was all very encouraging and hopefully there will be an opportunity for me, because my past record speaks for itself. I think Indy Lights is going to be a good championship to contest. The team atmosphere was again good, not quite like BAR, but still very professional. I desperately want to get a deal and get back into racing, wherever it may be, but I want to get back to what I do best - winning races."