Q:
There were six pre-season test days with weather conditions very different from that which is usually encountered during the season. Are you happy with Racing Engineering's progress in pre-season testing?
Alfonso de Orléans-Borbón, president of Racing Engineering:
Between the cold running days in
Jerez and the wet ones in Barcelona, we definitely have a couple of good set ups for extreme weather. But then again, it's the same for everyone, and we usually race in different conditions.
Apart from allowing Julián to become familiar with the team as quickly as possible, definitely our main focus was on getting to know the new Pirelli tires. We should be in a pretty good position, but let's see when we get to Malaysia, that's where it counts.
Q:
Which rivals have caught your eye so far and do you think they will also be the main competitors during the season?
Alfonso de Orléans-Borbón:
I think the main competitor for us will be James Calado, but then again, there are always a couple of surprises every year, it's too early to tell at the moment.
Our main focus is on our drivers and making sure they get the best results, the rest is just speculation, so all our work and effort is centred on providing our drivers with the best possible equipment and solutions.
Q:
With Julián Leal, Racing Engineering has a new driver in 2013, while Fabio Leimer is staying for another year. What does the team expect from this driver pairing?
Alfonso de Orléans-Borbón:
First of all, it's one of the best driver pairings we ever had. They get along well, know that they work together well and have been team mates previously, so more than anything it is about making a car that is the best for them.
Our main objective is for both to get the maximum points at every outing. I would be lying if I didn't say that we are obviously going for both the driver and team championships, but our main focus is on race by race. If we do our work properly and stay out of trouble, it should not be difficult to achieve.
Q:
The season starts this week at the Malaysian Sepang track. Racing Engineering's cars were very competitive there in 2012. Do you think this performance can be repeated?
Alfonso de Orléans-Borbón: