Drivers: Nasser Al-Attiyah/Giovanni Bernacchini (Subaru)


Q:
Nasser, what a thrilling finish to the rally, you claimed the win on the final stage – it was incredibly close!

Nasser Al-Attiyah:
Actually, I am so happy about this win. After Argentina, we worked on a lot of things. We improved a lot and really concentrated on the top three in Sardinia. I have less experience, but Giovanni has helped me a lot with the stages. I find a lot of confidence. We try sometime, but sometimes we are not fast, but in others we are. The last two stages, we found ourselves thinking: we can do it, we can win the rally. I talk with Giovanni and say let's do it. We won by 1.5 seconds and it was a great win.

Q:
You seem to go well on rough rallies. Are you looking forward to Greece, the next round?

NA:
I have a lot of experience of the rough, maybe coming from cross country helps. We do a lot of rallies in the Middle East, in the desert and I know myself well in the rough rally. We have a lot of experience and a good car, good team. Most of the time we have good result in rough rally.

Q:
It wasn't a totally problem free weekend for you though – you did lose some time on the opening day – what happened there?

NA:
We have one problem with the steering rack yesterday. This was normal because it's a standard part, but we understand it's a Group N car and I hope we find a good solution for this. It's for the safe side. After we really push a lot. We save the car most of the time. I am really so happy to win.

Q:
You have really turned things around from last year…

NA:
I am so happy. We improved things a lot and I concentrate a lot. Last year I did a lot of races. I was competing in four FIA Championships and this year I only have the Middle East and PWRC and we concentrate on PWRC this year. Now we are leading and I am happy. Greece, the next race, will be very important for us. I hope we have a good result there.

Q:
You now lead the Championship, ahead of Armindo Araújo by two points with Sandell three behind – how do you feel about the rest of the year?

NA:
Yes, it will be exciting. The S2000 will be a really good car in Greece, but I hope we have a good result in Greece and I have a lot of experience in this rally. We know which part we can change in the car and we keep it like brand new on every surface. The team did a really good job. It's the complete package and if you want to win, you must do these things.

Q:
Giovanni, second win for you and Nasser in PWRC, but maybe more importantly a win at home for you, how do you feel?

Giovanni Bernacchini:
Yes, for me and for Nasser it's a fantastic moment. The second victory in the row and now we lead the Championship. I am a special winner, it's my home country, but it was very difficult. It was an amazing rally. In my career, we never stopped believing in the victory, and we pushed until the last corner. I am very happy and I can't believe it.