Helio Castroneves Q&A
Helio Castoneves is one of five drivers heading into the IRL finale in Texas on October 12 with a chance of lifting the title. While Michael Schumacher is not quite home and dry in the World Championship, the outcome Stateside is somewhat harder to predict. Helio and Scott Dixon are equal on 467 points, Tony Kanaan has 460, and both Sam Hornish and Gil de Ferran are also still in mathematical contention. Castroneves has been a solid performer this year, although he has won only at Gateway and Nazareth, and missed out on a third Indy 500 victory. Adam Cooper caught up with the Penske man at the US GP
"Yes, very good. We were very consistent, and that's what kept us in the title hunt. There were a lot of ups and downs, and it took a long time for a win to come."
"Disappointing in terms of history. We were so close, but at the same time I was very happy for the team and very happy for my friend Gil, who came back from a huge crash and turned it around and won the race. For a split second there was disappointment, but then I forget and went to celebrate with him."
"Absolutely. Those points are always valuable as well."
"Ovals are very competitive, and you always need to position yourself in a good situation. I believe those five guys are the only ones who were able to position themselves in a winning situation. It's not so much about being the fastest guy or having and amazing driving style, it's about being patient. And the strategy of the team helps. Those things together make those five guys successful. Everybody scores points, so even if something happens you have to go back out and try to score some points."
"It's going to be really exciting. If anybody misses that race they're going to be missing a helluva show!"
"What needs to be, will be. Like this year unfortunately the Indy 500 was so close, but it wasn't meant to be, despite all the effort and time that people put in. But that's what we're doing again, making sure we cover all the weak parts and that we are as strong as ever. Last year we battled for the championship, and it would be nice to come out different..."
"No doubt about it, right now I have no interest in changing to another team. If I ask, they give me, if they ask, I deliver. I guess that's a good connection."
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