Q & A with Colin Kolles

Colin Kolles: I am definitely disappointed, but at least for Adrian and the team we showed that in equal conditions (mixed) that we can be very competitive. Unfortunately we have to improve our car, we are not (normally) at that level. But we always have races like this and it's traditional for our team that we are there.

Q. When did you realise that this race could be something special?

CK: I knew it this morning because I was completely confident, like I was here last year and as I was in Fuji. I know the abilities of the team and I know the abilities of the driver, even in a less competitive car.

Q. What is your take on Adrian's accident with Kimi. Is anyone to blame?

CK: I don't have to blame Kimi. He did a mistake, it's a race incident and there's nothing more to say? It's unfortunate that it was Kimi, who is a friend, that it happened with him. But what can I say, that's life!"

Q. What was your reaction when it happened?

CK: Shit! And then I hoped, because it looked as if he could continue, I hoped that there was nothing damaged. So we had some communication on the radio together, but then he said that he had a puncture. Unfortunately it was not only a puncture, the whole suspension broke.

Q. Adrian said this weekend that he came away from Turkey and re-focussed himself, and was confident of doing something here. Have you noticed a difference in him this weekend?

CK: Adrian started the season a little bit difficult. But he had always had the backing of the team and me personally, so there was no uncertainty. We knew that he has to catch up in certain things and he built it up. And Monaco is one of his favourite tracks, so if the conditions were right then something special can happen. And we were very, very close to something special.

Q. Do you think this will lift his confidence for when he turns up in Canada?

CK: Well after the race he was in tears. But it was not only him there were a lot of people. I told him: 'You are the hero of the race'. That's my opinion and I think people will recognise this.

Q. Do you think this will help him going into Canada?

CK: Oh yes for sure. Obviously we have to push for a better car. We cannot hope that every race will be wet. We still have Canada which could be a potentially good race, we have Spa, we have Fuji. There are some more races to come for sure and we hope we hope we can have a better car.

Q. And will this have given the mechanics a bit of a lift?

CK: I think in general for the whole team it is a positive sign because we have two strong drivers. We need now to push to improve the car.

Q. What are the financial implications of the loss of this result today?

CK: You cannot say now what are the financial implication, but obviously if you lose championship positions it's a few millions.

Q. Someone has estimated that this accident has cost you five million?

CK: Could be yes. It is possible.