Scrutineering Conversations - Part 5
Ferrari Fellows

Mika Salo

“I’m quite happy to have a more limited programme, there’s a big difference between training and racing.

“I’m happy not to have to travel so much, it’s much more relaxed for me and was a deliberate choice.  I’m not getting any younger you know!

“That’s not to say that I don’t still have ambitions though – I’m still looking for a NASCAR opportunity, the events look fantastic and I’m eager to try out the car.

“We have of course won the last three endurance races (Le Mans last year, Petit Le Mans 2008 and Sebring 2009).  We should have won the year before here too but this idiot (pointing – with the barest hint of a grin – at Jaime Melo) crashed the car!

“This year will be a full spring for sure – I’m looking forward though to the last 6 hours when things will either be very close, or we can ease off just a little and relax.”

Jaime Melo

“This year will be very tough for us though, the Porsche is too quick in a straight line.

“We do have some good points though – The Ferrari is very conservative on tyres and we can do well on fuel conservation too so we will get something back there.

Pierre Kaffer

“The ALMS this season has been a case of so far so good, we’re lying second in the class just now.

“Remember that most of these are tracks that I don’t know, so that is a further testament to the team and to my ability to use the car to fight.

"2009 is a really quite important season for me after a very difficult couple of years before that.  I tried my hardest to impress teams while I was driving with gentlemen drivers and I’m delighted that it worked.

“As for the car, the team have given us a very good one. I can fight for the lead – at Long Beach I came from last to first. 

“I’m really pleased that Ferrari gave me the opportunity with Risi and that they allowed me to race for Audi at the Ring 24 too. That’s an important race for me as a local boy both for my sponsors and my fans. I hope we can have a Ferrari there next year, that would be very cool, there’s no reason why not, the GT3 car is a very good, very fast and very stable platform.  It would be a great race car on the Nordschliefe.

“Better still, even after the Ring I’m still in the 24 Hour mood!

“As for this race, the team is excellent, they prepare the car beautifully and then it is down to we drivers to do the best we can. It would be a dream to win the class but, of course, I’d love to be in a position to fight for the overall win again.”

Eric van de Poele  

"I love to race here but it does have some frustrating memories for me – I have been here twice when I have been due to race and couldn’t do so:

"In 1995 (in a Courage Chevrolet) we were disqualified for a technical infringement and in 1999 I had a big accident in practice with the Nissan R391.

"GT2 this season looks like being a very tough category – when you look at the entry list there are several cars with all-pro line ups, it won’t be easy for our team to race with them for 24 hours.

"Having said that our team has a lot of experience, something that could help us to stay out of trouble and out of the pits.  If things fall our way then why not a chance of a podium?  

"After all if there are a lot of faster cars they will all be pushing hard – That’s when mistakes are made."

Paulo Ruberti

"We haven’t tested very much with the Pirellis.  We finished second here last year of course and won at Spa, so we just have to do the same again we hope.

"We will try to double stint the tyres, maybe more, though we will not be fighting for pole position; the Pirelli is not a one lap tyre. We will see when we get out on track on Wednesday!

"It is good news that Mr Montezumelo will start the race; perhaps we might see a new programme in the future? I hope so, it would be good to see Ferrari fighting for the overall win."

Christophe Bouchut

"I am very pleased to be back here for the 16th time.  It is very special for any French driver to race here.

"JMB is a good team, but this is an older car; a 2008 spec.  I am waiting to see whether we will have the updated engin - without that I won’t be able to challenge for pole position and that really is my main objective.

"Beyond that, with two rookies in the car the aim is to finish.

Gianmaria Bruni

"This is not a 2009 car, it is a 2008 car, the same we raced at Sebring.

"Our pace will be OK, but not over the whole race as fast as some of the other cars.We can’t stay with the faster teams so we won’t try.  We’ll be aiming to go fast enough to stay in touch and make no mistakes."

GG