Just hours after he finished 17th in the Chinese Grand Prix, Giancarlo Fisichella zipped all over the way to India to shoot for a commercial.
So maybe it was sheer fatigue that prompted him to declare that Force India will be finishing on the podium in 2010. Or maybe, his team and car will actually keep improving and deliver in two years.
Question: Your best result this year was a 10th place in Barcelona. There are seven retirements to your name. What has been the biggest problem with VJM001 this year?
Giancarlo Fisichella: The car has a good engine but is quite poor aerodynamically. It was built two years ago. It is not competitive. They couldn’t build a new car this year. We always knew it was going to be a tough season.
Question: You and Adrian Sutil have been confirmed by the team for 2009. Both of you have spent the entire racing season with the car and the management. Obviously the pressure for results in 2009 will increase.
Giancarlo Fisichella: Pressure on me? I love pressure. It’s great. I don’t care about what others are upto but there’s a great atmosphere in the team. Dr Mallya is doing a fantastic job. All I have asked of him is to give me a quick car and he’s promised me one next year.
Question: Force India isn’t high on everybody’s wishlist. What are your reasons for staying back? Money, perhaps?
Giancarlo Fisichella: Money is not an issue with me. I’m a racing driver and I want to race. F1 is a limited sport. Not everyone gets a chance. So I’m in a good position to be able to race with a team I like. It’s nice to be part of a growing team. Points will make everyone happy.
Question: Team budgets are definitely a big issue.
Giancarlo Fisichella: For sure. Teams like Ferrari, McLaren and Toyota spend something like 500 million euros a season whereas we spend 120 million. Right now, budgets are different. Put a limit on what a team can spend. Big teams can spend more on engine and car development. Reduce the use of wind tunnels. Costs will automatically come down.
Question: Safety car rules have caused quite a lot of heartburn for drivers. What’s your take?
Giancarlo Fisichella: Nobody is happy with the safety car rules. It’s different for drivers from time-to-time. Sometimes you benefit, sometimes you lose. Being penalised for pitting under a safety car is stupid. I received a 25-second penalty in Hockenheim for allegedly taking an advantage. It’s silly.
| 
|