Q: Is that a function of the car and the circuit or perhaps how tyres react to this circuit?
MS: I think there are various factors that could be playing into that one. The ones you mentioned, strategy and set-up.

Q: What sort of weekend has it been for you, obviously fragmented with that rain yesterday.
MS: Obviously yesterday was a bit of a watch day rather than active day and we were able to recover today quite easily, I have to say. We found a good baseline and set-up so not too much of a worry – anyway, it was the same for everybody.

Q: And your thoughts for the race tomorrow from your point of view?
MS: Well, we’re in the first row, so we’re going to be there.

Q. Michael, what do you think happened in the third sector where you lost the time really?
MS: Basically we just weren’t quick enough. I was pushing very hard and losing a tenth in turn 13 pushing a bit too hard, but the main loss came in the last two corners and there was nothing more I could do.

Q. This race seems to be the closest challenge that you have had so far, four different manufacturers in the first four places…
MS: Yeah in a way it is true. I mean you have obviously the McLarens and the BMW’s (Williams) back with a competitive car or a more competitive package so everything is a lot more close. So the challenge tomorrow will be quite interesting.

Q. Are you feeling that challenge already? Are you thinking I am on the dirty side of the track as well?
MS: Well I know. That is the fact. We will have to see what we do from there.

QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR

Q. (Dan Knutson – National Speed Sports News) Can I ask all three of you what you think of the news that Max Mosley is stepping down in October?
MS: I believe that Max has been very good for the sport, has achieved a lot, had clear targets and put them through. Sometimes you agree and sometimes you don’t agree, that is the nature of life. But I think he has done a good job, so obviously it is a shame to lose such a strong powerful man but now we have to see who is going to replace him and what that gives to us.

Q. (Stéphane Barbé) Michael, you have said that perhaps you lost a bit of time in the last sector because you pushed a bit too hard. How penalising is it to go over the kerbs?
MS: How much is penalising over which kerbs.

Q. (Stéphane Barbé) At the chicane for example, it seems to be a little bit penalising…
MS: Yeah but the kerb is there for everybody. We were just not good enough and there could be many reasons. There could be the reason of simply not having the right set-up, could be the reason that there is a different strategy, it could be the reason that the tyres work better in one area compared to another area. Let’s find out what it is tomorrow.

Q. (Stéphane Barbé) A question for the three, during the Grand Prix here last year we had absolutely no overtaking. Is it a big concern for strategy for tomorrow or is it mainly the same as everywhere?
MS: I think it is the nature of the circuit that it simply doesn’t allow overtaking unless you are a lot faster. And the circuit hasn’t changed. You have to use the strategy if you are going to overtake unless you make mistakes, but you don’t consider that up front.

Q. (Pascal Dro) A question for Michael. Could you rank your different challengers, the different teams and cars. Who is the best of the other contenders for the World Championship? Five of them is okay…
MS: Another time.