Q:
Charles, you obviously haven't sat in the car yet. Have you talked to any engineers yet about what to expect or some keys you have to focus on?
CZ:
We definitely have talked about a lot of things but, basically, until you get into the car, it's all talk. You just have to get a feel for it and then you really know what is going on. At the moment, it's all a bit empty in my head as far as that goes.
Q:
Michael, last time I saw you at the Grand-Am race in Phoenix in September, it seemed like half the paddock wanted a piece of you. Can you summarise what happened there; the ramifications from that, and whether it made Paul [Gentilozzi] think twice at all about putting you in the car when you hadn't done the Champ Car race before?
MM:
I was worried about that, for sure, in Grand-Am I was on probation, I got a one-race suspension for aggressive driving - if you want to call it that. I was worried about what that was going to do as far as my career went and how people looked at it. When I talked to Paul and other people in the industry, the way they see it is a young guy going for it and he's in a series that's still with mostly experienced drivers that, from an experience side, have more leverage with the series and so, you know, for me, I don't think it hurt anything. I was going for race wins any time I had any issue, and that's just kind of my style. I was there to win races, that's what they pay me to do. That's what I try to do. If that means taking some chances every now and then, then that's what I have to do. I think that all and all everything has gone over very smoothly.
Q:
Do you have any particular advice about jumping into a Champ Car at relatively short notice with not that much testing on an unfamiliar track?
MM:
Definitely, Memo Gidley, he has obviously been in that situation more than once where he's jumped in during the middle of a season, so he has an indication of what it takes to do it. The biggest thing for me was kind of preparing physically because the cars are so demanding and definitely using a member of your team helps a lot. But, as far as mentally preparing for a race, somebody can only tell you so much. Like Charles said, when you get in it, it's a whole different scene. It's definitely great having a veteran driver around like that and it definitely helps.
Q:
Charles, I'd like to know what your goals are for this weekend?
CZ:
It's a very tough question because if I would have had a test before the race I would have known what to answer on that. But now that I didn't drive the car yet I don't know how much time it will take me to adjust to the car. So it's pretty much impossible for me to answer that question. So basically what I am going to do is make the best out of the time that's given to me, and obviously I want to finish really strong there, but I don't know yet what is possible. We'll see, Thursday afternoon I will know more.
Q:
Is this a realistic prospect for next year, the third Team Australia car, or you are tackling this as a one-off only?
CZ:
Well, you never know. I am really grateful to Team Australia and the Champ Car organisation for giving me this opportunity and, if I do well or, you know, you never know what is going to happen. I look in all directions and certainly also to Team Australia.
Q:
I guess this is a question for all three... Have you guys practiced using simulators or do you use video games to help you get ready for both the track and for the increased power you are going to find in a Champ Car?
