"I go into this race with the aim of doing the absolute maximum to win," the Italian insists, "You cannot drive with the idea that only points are good enough, you have to be aggressive, to attack and aim for the top of the podium. It is too early to make any predictions about performance until we see the cars running on Friday, but "My objective will be to fight at the front of the field, and score maximum points for myself and the team.
"We know that the R26 is competitive after our performance in Suzuka, and Michelin has done a fantastic job in the last races. That means we are fighting at the front in all conditions."
Technical director Bob Bell confirms that the team will not be going on the defensive in Brazil.
"The most important thing will be to change nothing, and to not feel pressured to do so," he explained, "We go to every race weekend aiming to win, and we will approach Brazil in the same way. We want to do our normal job, and take nothing for granted. We will race hard and react accordingly should the circumstances of the race demand it. There are many mathematical scenarios that could see us win or lose, but for the team, it will be business as usual. I think we have always believed that the best to win championships is by winning races.
"Make no mistake: Michael will be racing flat out in Brazil, as always. His hallmark trait is that he never gives up, and that is why he has been testing in
Jerez since Japan. And he has an extra reason to be going flat out in Interlagos. This will be the last race of his career, and I am sure he is determined to go out on a high."
McLaren – Kimi Raikkonen (#3), Pedro de la Rosa (#4):
While
Kimi Raikkonen's impending departure for
Ferrari and uncertainy over the identity of the second driver for next year will perhaps take precedence at McLaren this weekend, there is still the niggling matter of a big fat zero in the win column so far this season.
