FM:
It is okay. It is quite hot and we also had a lot of rubber down. I think it is okay.
Q:
Kimi, the last seven pole winners have won the Spanish Grand Prix. I don’t want to tempt fate but none the less you are in good shape. It appears the
McLaren Mercedes challenge here has not been quite the same as in other races.
KR:
I don’t even know where they ended up. The qualifying is one part but tomorrow is when we get the points. Last year we couldn’t finish the race, but for sure we should have good speed in the race as long as we get a clean start. We are confident in ourselves and the team. We need a good clean first few corners and then try to maximise our position and do the best job we can. But this is the best place for sure to try and win the race.
Press conference:
Q:
Kimi, it’s quite strange to say that despite the fact that you’re leading the World Championship this is your first pole of the year.
KR:
For sure even last year qualifying wasn’t our strongest part, so it is nice to be at the front. It always makes your life a bit easier. It’s the best place to try and win, so I am very happy. The car seems to be working well.
Q:
Interesting tactics out there. You were actually slower from Q1 to Q2.
KR:
For sure, we always try to go faster, but sometimes you do not find the perfect place and if you are too close (to another car) you always lose time. In the end the main thing is to be in the top ten in the second one. That was enough, so there was nothing to worry about.
Q:
You have not done much testing because of the weather, so did you find a different car?
KR:
Maybe it was a good thing because when the test was here there was a lot of rubber on the circuit and it was very fast. Maybe it was more like it is here now. Everybody has been here a lot, so we know the circuit and we know the set-up. It is not a big advantage.
Q:
But did the car feel very different?
