Pierre Dupasquier Q&A

However, there's no question that it was a disappointing qualifying session for the Williams boys, who opted for a conservative tyre choice, although team insiders refused to blame any drop-off in performance solely on the rubber. Adam Cooper spoke to Dupasquier after the race.



"Disappointed not to have been in the second or third spot. Technically it was possible. But that's racing."



"I think so. They were competitive. I would say they were on the pace of the Ferraris, so we have nothing to complain about."



"It changes a little bit the balance of the car. It's up to the driver to feel this, how he feels the front. As soon as you use treaded tyres in the dry, definitely the performance of the car is evolving with the wear of the tyres."



"Absolutely. There was not a lot of experience of them, that's true."



"I think it went well also. Mr Irvine was very quick in the race again, but he complained that he is qualifying so far away."



"No, I won't say that. Actually we did not make a true mistake since the beginning of the season. We've been a little bit more adjusted or less according to temperatures, which have played a role. But we're not too far."

Q: But certainly in qualifying this must have been the most disappointing race for you...

"Yes, it was very disappointing, and for Ralf also. He was pissed because he lost the last set because he was stuck in traffic."



"Maybe not. We'll see. Hockenheim doesn't ask a lot from the tyres. It is a high-speed circuit, with two chicanes. The stadium is another trick, but it doesn't ask too much from the tyres."



"Oh yes. We're always confident!"