Q & A with Franck Montagny

Montagny: Wednesday night!

Q. Surprised?

Montagny: Yes, quite a lot. In the past five months I have been away from Formula 1. I have tried to help the team as much as I can, but from outside the car. Then they called me on Monday telling me to come for the two hours on Friday with the third car. And then when I arrived they said you are going to do the race. I said 'wow! Are you sure? I haven't driven for five months'. It's going to be tough, but it's one chance and you must enjoy it.

Q. This is a big moment for you. How does it feel to be on the verge of your GP debut?

Montagny: Yes, it's a big moment, but I'm taking it easy. I was not expecting to come back to F1, especially not as a race driver. So I'm very happy about that. So as I say, I'm just going to enjoy, help the team as much as I can and give my advice.

Q. Has the team spelt out their expectations to you?

Montagny: No. We know we are not going to take pole position and win the race, but we all know that the team wants to be better and we all work in the same direction. Everyone is pushing forward. It's good if we do our best, even if we finish last. But the more you do, the more experience you get. I've good good experience with my former team [Renault] and we won the championship last year, so it is good for the team to get another point of view from me.

Q. Is it a stark contrast going from Renault to a team at the back of the grid?

Montagny: Yes, it's a bit different. When I want to see my old friends I have to go a long way up the paddock! But there is no comparison. I worked for two years with Renault, it was a good experience and I enjoyed it a lot. But it finished at the end of 2005 so now it's a new beginning again. And I don't know how long it will last.

Q. So the team haven't said if you will race on after this?

Montagny: No. But it's good - I'm happy to do it.

Q. France has had few drivers in F1 in recent years. How important is this chance for French motorsport?

Montagny: I will tell you on Sunday night! I don't really get it. Last Monday I was at home, working on Le Mans. I was not thinking about coming here and doing the race. I have a lot of work to do on the car with the engineers and I will think about the French aspect later.

Q. Have you spoken to Taku yet?

Montagny: Oh Yes. I have a good feeling with him. I spoke to him a lot at the beginning of the season. We both have a lot of experience, we share all the information and it is quite good.