F1 Features

Ralf Schumacher:

Drivers: Ralf Schumacher (Williams), Rubens Barrichello (Ferrari), Jacques Villeneuve (British American Racing) TV unilaterals Q: Ralf, what does it feel like to win at home?

The first, and most public representation of an F1 car is its livery - the outward colour and design scheme will immediately identify which team you are looking at.

Drivers: Mika Hakkinen (McLaren), Michael Schumacher (Ferrari), Rubens Barrichello (Ferrari) TV unilaterals Q: You've never won here before, indeed, you haven't won for over a year. How does it feel?

Formula One is not just about the glamour of Monaco, the millionaire racing drivers, the grid girls and glitzy parties - at the heart of the sport are the mechanics who work long hours in difficult conditions to make sure the cars make it to the track on time.

David Coulthard recently met photographer Michel Comte as part of his round of public relations activities for McLaren sponsor West - something which left him out on a limb and decidedly wet behind the ears.... ''I'm a photographer and my whole life is built on memories of pictures.''

Formula One may be perceived as a glamorous occupation, with the added trappings of a jet-set lifestyle and all the rewards that participation brings - but things are not always a bed of roses for the drivers.

McLaren-Mercedes test driver Alexander Wurz describes a lap of the Nurburgring - site of this weekend's European Grand Prix:

Drivers: Ralf Schumacher (Williams), Michael Schumacher (Ferrari), Mika Hakkinen (McLaren) TV unilaterals Q: Well done Ralf. Was that the greatest fun you've ever had with your clothes on?

Drivers: Giancarlo Fisichella (Benetton), Eddie Irvine {Jaguar), Jacques Villeneuve (BAR) Team personnel: Tom Walkinshaw (Arrows), Eddie Jordan (Jordan), Frank Williams (Williams) Q: Giancarlo, why is your form so good here, and is it likely to be repeated?

Blessed with a series of Canadian podium finishes in his short Formula One career, Giancarlo Fisichella is perhaps one of the best-qualified drivers in the field to describe a lap of the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

Michael Schumacher:

''Ride height'' is a term I'm sure most F1 fans have heard at one time or another. It is essentially the distance between the base of the car and the ground. By adjusting suspension and aerodynamic characteristics

by Doug Nye

The 2000 Formula One finale was also the last race in a grand prix car for Johnny Herbert, one of the most likeable, determined and human drivers of them all.

Drivers: Michael Schumacher (Ferrari), Mika Hakkinen (McLaren), David Coulthard (McLaren) Q: Michael, many congratulations. Your ninth pole of the season by over half a second, you needed only eight laps. Was it as easy as it looked?

Michael Schumacher:

Mika Hakkinen:

Drivers: Michael Schumacher (Ferrari), Mika Hakkinen (McLaren-Mercedes), David Coulthard (McLaren-Mercedes) Q: Michael, driver's world champion year 2000. How do you feel?

Drivers: Mika Hakkinen (McLaren), Michael Schumacher (Ferrari), Jacques Villeneuve (BAR) Team principals: Craig Pollock (BAR), Neil Ressler (Jaguar)

Drivers: Jean Alesi (Prost), Rubens Barrichello (Ferrari), Jenson Button (Williams) and Ralf Schumacher (Williams) Team principals Flavio Briatore (Benetton) and Eddie Jordan (Jordan) were unable to take part due to a conflicting appointment

Mika Hakkinen: ''Obviously, I'm pleased to take my second consecutive Belgian Grand Prix pole position. We found a good set-up for the car and the team did a great job. We improved the car throughout the qualifying, and I'm optimistic for tomorrow's race.''

Giancarlo Fisichella has yet to win a grand prix, but you know that, when he does rack up his first, he would wish it to be a just one of a few select venues.

Interview transcript from Hockenheim: