Q: What about the first corner?
RB: I have a feeling it is a corner where you are always going to tell yourself you can brake later and later because the braking point is still quite plain and then it starts to go down and there will be times where you will just overdo it and there are times when you will tell yourself you could have done more, so it is quite interesting because you don’t see the turning point of the corner and I think there are some facilities to overtake there as well.

Q: Obviously it is going to be dirty and slippery for the first day, isn’t it?
RB: It looks grippy, in a way, but it is dirty, as a new circuit is always going to be. But it looks grippy.

Q: Rubens, still six races to go with Ferrari, but looking back what will be your best memories?
RB: I just have to take the opportunity to thank them very much. I had a great time, I am having a great time. I didn't take too serious the fact I could leave the team because I had a deal for next year, there was no buy-out or anything like this, so it is thanks to Jean Todt that I was able to. I was talking to BAR for a long time but it was just this year at some point that everything started to happen a little bit. Then I went to Jean and said ‘if I want to leave, will you be happy to let me go’ and he said ‘you have one week to decide that because I am counting on you for next year’ but then I came back with the news and, so, I really have to thank him for that and thank the team, because I had a great time. If it wasn't for Ferrari I wouldn't be where I am right now at 33, trying to get Honda to the very top. I still dream of being world champion, that is why I am here, that is why I feel competitive every day I wake up and that is the reason I take the challenge.

Q: Looking forward to the new team, what were the feelings, the reasons for moving?
RB: Every change brings a new motivation, that is a fact, but it is the resources, the people, everything. One day Ayrton (Senna) told me about Honda, everything is in plan with Honda and BAR for next year is quite good, there is a good motivation for the team to have someone who is still young and motivated to win and to transform everything in a good way. I am not going there to actually say ‘change this, change that’ I am going there to learn how the team works and I am bringing the 13 years of experience to make that a winning team.

QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR

Q: (Dan Knutson – National Speed Sport News) It is a big challenge to be Michael’s team-mate: 1) because he’s fast, 2) because there’s either the real or the perceived notion that Michael gets preferential treatment and that you sometimes have to defer to him. So first of all, Rubens, what advice do you give to Felipe on how to cope with being Michael’s teammate, and Felipe, how will you face up to that challenge?
RB: The only thing I told Felipe was not to use the toilet on the top because I had bad times there, so just be careful there. The rest is for him to enjoy his time. He is going to have a tough time, absolutely, but if I was in his position, younger, eager to win, I probably would have done the same. I’m proud to say now that the team is different to the one when I came to Ferrari in 2000. It is much broader in its thoughts, and thinking much more of both drivers so I think Felipe will have an advantage compared to myself if you look back to 2000. But the rest is up to him to show his speed. Speed is much better than words.

FM: One thing I have to say is that I am still young. When you have a competitive car, and when you have the opportunity to go to Ferrari it is fantastic for a young guy, so I feel ready. I have some good experience in Formula One already and now is the time to take the opportunity to show what I can do. Going to Ferrari is always an incredible opportunity.

Q: (Juha Paatalo – Financial Times Deutschland) Rubens, what kind of role did what happened in Monaco between you and Michael play in your decision?
RB: I had fantastic times at Ferrari and I had bad times too. The bad times always taught me and the team to improve. People ask me what is the worst time I had at Ferrari and they might think it was Austria 2002. I think that was the best time, because that was really good to change things around, really good in terms of respect because they knew I could win races without the help of anyone, so it was probably the turning point of my racing career there. But obviously being with the team the whole time, I saw it was going to be very difficult for me to actually try to win the championship, because you’re there, they have two competitive drivers, Michael has been there for longer and I saw my chances much higher with a team that has not yet won a race but has all the desire and the good ingredients to do it. That was more the fact that took me to there.

Q: (Andrea Cremonesi – La Gazzetta dello Sport) Rubens and Felipe, is there any chance that you split to BAR before the end of the season, and Felipe, what kind of Ferrari do you expect to find next week in Monza?
RB: I think that would be impossible. It would be a lack of respect, to stop now and say I don't care any more what is going on at Ferrari. If we can still fight for the Constructors' championship I would leave Ferrari with six (titles) rather than five and that would be much better for myself and the achievement would be great. So I don't think there is any doubt I will finish the year contractually and just in the human respect, I think that would be lacking, so I’m just glad to say that I’m definitely carrying on.

FM: It is always difficult to say how it’s going to be before you test the car. I saw Ferrari was much more competitive in the last race than in the previous races and I think they are working in a good direction to improve. But it’s difficult to say before you test the car. After the test I can say something.

Q: After the holidays and vacation, are you eager to drive again?
RB: I had a good time, as always when I go back to Brazil to my family, but you get eager to get back in the car. I think everyone likes those two weeks off. You just feel that you start driving fast on the roads which means that you have to get back to the (racing) car. (Laughter)

Q: (Andrea Cremonesi – La Gazzetta dello Sport) Felipe, you have the same contract as Rubens now? You will be there the second driver for a while?
FM: This is not written in my contract.

RB: In mine, too. (Laughter)

Q: (Heinz Pruller – Kronen Zeitung) Felipe, which engine do you drive in the Ferrari at Monza?
FM: 10 cylinder.

Q: (David Kennedy – Setanta Sport) Felipe, you have heard Rubens say that speed talks louder than words. How do you think you will compare in terms of speed against Michael Schumacher?
FM: I think this is the best comparison a driver can have. Michael is still, as seven times World Champion, he is still the example of every driver. If you can have this possibility to compare your speed with him, I think it’s the best comparison you can have.

Q: Will you be quicker or slower?
FM: I hope I can be quicker. I will do everything I can to be quicker, for sure.

Q: (Stephane Barbe – L’Equipe) Rubens, you said that during your thinking about going to BAR you remembered what Ayrton said to you about Honda. What did he say to you?
RB: I remember because at the time when I started we shared some dinners and things and he always used to be late and he used to say he was spending time with the Honda boys trying to get the driveability and the power and everything about the car that he liked his way. The good thing is that they love this kind of a conversation, he said, and they used to do everything he asked them in order to get everything correct for his driving style and everything. I feel that the Honda is always very powerful and I’m very much looking forward to working with them.

Q: (Luc Ray – Le Matin) Felipe, when Rubens came into Formula One he was described as the next World Champion and he did not become World Champion, probably because he spent a lot of time with Michael Schumacher. It’s very difficult to beat Michael. So don’t you think that you could burn your career going to Ferrari with Michael? I know it’s a good opportunity but don’t you think you will burn your career?
FM: First of all, Rubens has not quit Formula One yet so maybe he still has a chance to be World Champion and I’m sure he had a good time at Ferrari. So as I said, I’m young, I am ready for the challenge, so I’m ready to try everything I can to have a competitive car. Fernando had his chance to go to a good team and show what he could do, Kimi as well, so I want to do the same.

Q: (Anthony Rowlinson – Autosport) Rubens, do you think Jenson Button will be your teammate next year and if he is, how do you think you will get on together?
RB: I told the team I would have no problem with anyone, so it is up to the team to decide what’s the best option. Obviously there are various options in place but I have no further comment. I have no problems, Jenson is definitely a good guy, he is one of the friends I have in the paddock so it would definitely have been no problem but it is BAR-Honda that has to decide what is the best option alongside myself.