Mika Salo Q&A

"We were screwed because of the size of the fuel tank in the car, really. As soon as the Safety Car came out, I knew I had game over then. I could have continued a few more laps after the Safety Car, but all the advantage I had made was gone. The car was fine and everything else was fine, but this is the experience that we're here for this year."



"No, we had to wait for that."



"It was still the same case. I had a red light in the pitlane. I was fifth when I came in, and I just ended up at the back of the queue. Then one of the Minardis kept me behind. I was lapping him, and he led me up for seven laps. This is the thing we talk about in the drivers' briefing all the time. The FIA is controlling only the top cars. They don't care what's happening behind the top three."



"Yes, it was a very good race. But as I say, we were really screwed as soon as the safety came out."



"Overall that was a pretty boring race for me. I caught Ralf in the last 10 laps, and had a good fight with him, then his engine blew up on the last lap, so I got him. I had a very high temperature problem, so I also had to stop at the start/finish line. But the lap times were competitive in the race. I was lapping at the same speed as third and fourth position at one time, so it was reasonably OK."



"Yes, the reliability's there, and we've made the car better as well."



"It's my favourite track. I'm curious to wait and see how the car suits that circuit."



"Of course, I had a good race there every year, so we'll see."



"Oh yeah, it will be a good test for us. If we finish that race with the two cars we can consider it well done."