Q & A with Jose Maria Lopez
Q. Fastest in both sessions today - how important is that for you now that you're looking towards next year?
Jose Maria Lopez: It's been important for me today - I've tested already with ART and was quickest again today with a different team, so it means that I should be okay for next year. We have to see with Renault what will be the final decision, but I'm very happy today. We've been the quickest since we went on the circuit today, with old tyres, with new tyres, we've always been the quickest today, and it wasn't easy but we were always there, which is quite encouraging.
Q. Unfortunately you've lost your times after the session - can you explain the decision?
Lopez: Yeah, the car was underweight by about three kilos, and the balance was okay so they don't really know why yet. But it doesn't really matter for me - I know I did well today. There was I think three laps where I should have done one and I didn't stop before they weighed me, but it doesn't really make much difference for me.
Q. After a season with Dams you've tested with ART, Super Nova today and Racing Engineering tomorrow - how important is it for you to find out how these other teams work?
Lopez: It's been good, and it's good for mind to see the other teams and what the differences are. With Dams we had a lot of problems this year, and it is good to see if I was wrong, if the team was wrong, or something else. It's been good for me to know I'm quick - I was quickest today, I was quickest with ART - and that's very good for me and the people who are watching me.
Q. Obviously you are hoping to be back in GP2 next year - do you have any news on that front yet?
Lopez: No, not yet - we have to decide with Renault. For sure we want to be part of the GP2 championship, and for sure we will try to be back and part of the winning at the end of the year! That's my objective - I have to be quick next year, and I have to be fighting for the championship to have some hope for Formula One. This is a difficult sport because you need the results, and the last few years haven't been the greatest for me, but I've shown I can be quick and I'm looking forward to next year.
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