Q: Sensationally impressive accident your teammate Michael Schumacher had this morning; what sort of impact did that have on the team and your preparation in terms of set-up and maybe what caused his accident?
RB: First of all, it was a shame because it was a biggy, big impact and luckily Michael was OK but he had to take his T-car and then he had no run at all and so he had to re-think a little bit. It was pretty much set, the way we were going to go for qualifying. I still think Michael’s going to have a really good race tomorrow but unfortunately the ten places really damaged his chances of being out there and fighting for pole.

Q: Rubens, I think most people in Formula One would love to see you win tomorrow. Can you just talk us through the next 12 hours from your point of view, the amount of pressure you’re going to have and what it means to you to be on the pole for this Brazilian Grand Prix?
RB: To be very honest with you, I think the pressure is already gone. I’m going to sleep on my bed which I love so much, and the thing that’s going to take care of me is my son. I will get home and it will be just a normal day, playing with him, and it’s going to be nice. It’s just a normal day. Be here tomorrow… we have sold out of all the tickets and do what we did last year. I think last year I was very much prepared to win the race and I feel prepared to win it now. If that’s what’s reserved for me tomorrow that’s fine; otherwise we’re going to fight to get the best result out there, but I’m going to give it my best for the win.

PRESS CONFERENCE

Q: As you came across the line, it’s almost as though you knew at that moment you were on pole; how did you know?
RB: Well, because I was the last car so basically they told me as Juan Pablo finished the lap that he was able to pip Kimi’s time and it was a 10.8s, so when I saw the 10.6s, even though sometimes that can be a 10.68s or a 10.71s, it was better than a 10.8s so at that time I was on pole.

Q: Could you see from the crowd’s reaction as well?
RB: Yes, absolutely, because at the end of the day, everyone is trying to save a bit of fuel and so I was going quite slowly, looking at them, and I could see them shouting.

Q: It seems to be your most enjoyable pole ever…
RB: Well, I tell you, last year was pretty much the same. It is almost as if I had my Saturday last year and I’m here again. I felt that last year we should have won the race and this year is just the same. I’m still trying. I tell my public that I’m there, I’m working my way and the emotions and the energy is so good that we keep on going. If it happens or not, we’re going to see tomorrow but I’m definitely trying to work for that.

Q: Two tenths is a pretty big margin for here.
RB: Obviously the times here are so close. I had a good lap. I don’t know how much fuel they had, we’re going to see but the important thing is that number one, to start the race, the first big battle is won so that’s nice and then we have a second one, the huge one tomorrow which is going to be a long race, 71 laps, and so on. It’s physically quite hard. It’s going to be a long long battle.

Q: Did you change the car much between sessions?
RB: I did a little bit and it worked nicely because I think the temperature went up so now it remains a mystery what the weather is going to do tomorrow. In the morning, it seems like we are in England, and then in the afternoon we’re back to Brazil, so it remains a mystery what’s up for tomorrow.

QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR

Q: (Andrea Cremonesi – Gazzetta dello Sport) Question for Rubens. About the next event, what do you think about it?
RB: Let me win the race and I will tell you tomorrow. It is always good to give a little bit away from what we have to the fans and obviously the Italian fans are one of the most important ones even though in Brazil they are excited. Let’s think about that next week.

Q: (Dan Knutson – National Speed Sport News) Rubens, your good friend Tony Kanaan is here. What do you think about winning the Indy Racing League championship in America and since he has been here have you had the chance to hang out with him or talk with him?
RB: Yes because he went home to get a pass. I think Tony is one of the talents that went to America. He won the championship in a nice way. He can turn both ways, not just left, and I do hope he can get a chance to drive in Formula One, at least test a car, because I’m pretty sure when he does that he is going to show his talent and people will recognise it.

Q: (Dan Knutson) The FIA has just announced that qualifying for next year will be one session on Saturday with light fuel, second session on Sunday with race fuel and the cars will be in parc ferme. What do you think of this system – the times will be added together from Saturday and Sunday?
RB: Same for everyone I guess. New things come in and you have to learn all the things again. If we can have a qualifying without the fuel that is the one prefer, because that is when the car is fastest. I guess it is just the same for everyone.

Q: (Jose Emilio Aguiar – Extra Newspaper) Do you think the place where Michael crashed is dangerous because of the bumps or it was just a mistake?
RB: I think the bump for sure is not helping. Juan Pablo had one off some years ago in the wet and it was pretty similar. If you have an off you want to have it there because it is going upwards and you have the barriers which helps stopping the car. Michael was very unlucky that the car jinked to the other side and he didn’t lose as much speed as he should have. There is a big bump on entry so that probably doesn’t help.

Q: (Jose Emilio Aguiar) With the new rules about tyres, aerodynamics, do you think there is going to be more overtaking?
RB: My feeling will be only after I have tested the car and drive behind people. That’s pretty much the only way to know.

Q: (Erica Hideshima – Jornal de Tarde) Are you going to keep cool tomorrow. People keep asking you how you are going to win?
RB: Keeping the drink in a way and to go home and have my normal life. No Caipirinha’s tonight.