VM:
I cannot underestimate in any way the benefits that Giancarlo has brought to the team. That's exactly what we were lacking, that's exactly what we've got now, and it's absolutely brilliant.
Q:
Adrian hasn't had much luck with four retirements so far...
VM:
No, Adrian hasn't had too much luck! It's unfortunate, but I am sure that his luck will turn, as luck does. He's got a lot of talent, he's quick, and I think he can do a good job for us. What we have to remember is that Giancarlo is approaching his 200th grand prix, Adrian has competed in just over 20, that's a tenth of the number of his team-mate. We cannot reasonably expect him to know everything Giancarlo does, but the benefit of having Giancarlo there is that Adrian can learn and, in turn, grow and develop into a very valuable asset in the future.
Q:
Other teams brought their big update packages to Spain, and you didn't drop back from the midfield pack. Was that encouraging?
VM:
We haven't dropped back, but we do need to sort out our qualifying pace, which is our Achilles heel at the moment. If we start a few places up the grid we won't get into traffic or be a little accident prone like we are when starting from the back. This is just the start for us though; nobody expected us to be as competitive as we are. We've been on the grid for little over five months and look how far we have come. We are deploying all resources to improve now. No one expects miracles, but the fact we have qualified in the top 17, the fact we finished in the top twelve in Bahrain and Malaysia and now in the top ten in Spain shows we are a genuine midfield contender now, not a backmarker. Of course the field is incredibly tight though, with at least ten cars within a couple of tenths of each other. It's a bitter contest now where everything counts, but I am delighted to see we are in that game.
Q:
And how has the reaction at home in India been?
VM:
Absolutely phenomenal so far. TV ratings are up, press coverage is up and
F1 has never been more popular. We have 15-16,000 members of the Club Force site we established for fans to network with each other and it's all happened very quickly. F1 in India ten years ago was too expensive, too glamorous, too competitive and too high tech. Indians thought they could never reach it or touch it, but as the middle class grew and disposable incomes increased by the day, the time was ripe to enter the sport. It was the right decision and we are looking to grow the fan base even more.
Q:
Are you actively looking for an Indian driver, or Indian personnel to bolster the team?
VM:
I respect each and every individual regardless of nationality or class, and in my team I want the best people available. I have no doubt that in a population of 1.2 billion people we will find a
Lewis Hamilton somewhere, but this will take time and experience. That's why we have
Giancarlo Fisichella at the moment, but we are willing to invest in finding Indian talent and nurture him or her to the highest levels.
Q:
You are obviously a very busy man with your other businesses and ventures. How are you finding time to juggle everything?
VM:
I am the leader of the team and I need to lead it from the front. The fact that the team knows I am busy, but I am still there shows I am dedicated to this particular project, I do not just want to use it as a toy or a hobby. When we are more established, perhaps I won't have to spend so much time with the team, but for now I want to be involved. I believe in creating an atmosphere where people are given responsibility and can thrive. When they have shown they are capable of leading themselves, this is time for me to step back and let them move forward. I will always run the show, but people have to be accountable.
