Post-testing press conference - WTCC Race of Japan

Present:
— Gabriele Tarquini, Castrol Honda World Touring Car Team, first position
— Norbert Michelisz, Zengő Motorsport, second position, leading Yokohama Drivers’ Trophy contender
— José María López, Citroën Total WTCC, third position
— Nicolas Lapierre, LADA Sport Rosneft, 12th position

Q: Appropriately enough you were fastest for Honda in the first session of WTCC Race of Japan. Was this because of your car or the slight beard you seem to be growing?

GT: I don’t know to be honest. Normally on Friday we are sometimes the fastest car on track and it’s happened many times in the past because we use new tyres and new tyres make a big difference at this track. The track was totally green with no grip at all because of the rain I suppose but I don’t know this track. The level of grip was very poor but increasing during Free Practice 0. But I am happy. I have one of my team-mates behind me and it’s a pleasure to be back in Japan and fastest in Free Practice 0. To be in front of everybody for the first session make everybody happy to continue to work.

Q: Turning to Norbi, second fastest and the quickest Yokohama Drivers’ Trophy competitor. The beard is not as strong as Gabriele’s but you’re a married man now following your wedding in the summer and congratulations for that. We saw a couple of sideways moments for you but what was it like for you in the car on this track?

NM: First of all thanks a lot because I had a very nice last couple of weeks. We tried some new things in the car especially in terms of set-up. I was not 100 per cent confident especially on new tyres and I am really surprised to be here in second position. If I consider the lap I did it was quite bad to be honest and to finish second is a big surprise for me. Of course we have to improve tomorrow because I don’t believe that the standings will stay like this but, until now, with this position I am quite confident because with this feeling it’s quite possible to improve for the rest of the weekend.

Q: Turning next to José, our world championship leader, third fastest testing this morning with your fastest time right at the end of the session. Can you explain your approach to the session and whether you achieved what you wanted to achieve?

JML: The approach was just like always. As Gabriele said you never know exactly what is the real potential since testing. It has been a long [time] since we haven’t been in the car and just to basically adapt and find the confidence. The track was very green but the true will be tomorrow. In my side it’s good to start like this. We have to work as a team. We haven’t been as quick as we used to be some times but tomorrow is another day. We’re happy, we have a very good car. The track has some special things we have to work [on] and we will have to see how it gets through the days because if it doesn’t rain any more it will get more grippy. But I am happy, especially to be back in the car after two months because for someone who loves racing it’s a lifetime.

Q: Turning to Nicolas, you’ve obviously tested your LADA Vesta before but today was the first time you were on track with your WTCC rivals. What was that sensation like and was the car any different to what you experienced during testing?

NL: I am very happy to be here and very excited. Doing the test in the summer was something but doing the test here with all the other drivers was something different. The test went well. I drive as much as possible but I still have a lot to learn on the driving style but also on the other cars. I need to learn who is who, getting used to it, getting used to the new tyres so work in progress.

Q: Do you think your Honda Civic and this track is a good combination and do you have the confidence to win this weekend?

GT: To be honest our car seems very good watching the past on the slow corner. At Motegi there are many slow corners and I think we can be very good. I don’t know if we can win but we are trying hard and also taking some risk on the set-up and new item to score the victory. We are here to win because it’s very important for Honda and we must push very hard to be competitive in qualifying and the first race. I know this track a little bit from Super GT because I drove some laps on the Honda thanks day two years ago and three years ago but today it seems a different track because the Super GT car has a lot of downforce and the speed in some corners is totally different.