Formula One news
Column: No reason to change teams
05 September 2006The races in Hungary and Turkey were completely different. In Hungary everything went well till it started raining. Normally these circumstances are good for us - it gives you more of a chance to score points. But it didn't work out for us. The tyres were not very good in the rain. It was better when the track dried up, but we came ninth just outside the points.
There was some time in between the two races, so I could enjoy a holiday with some of my friends in Southern France. It was good and relaxing. After that, I had to go do some PR events in Portugal with sponsors before I left for Turkey. It was very hot there, but it is a great track. This circuit has everything. We decided to go with the harder Bridgestone compound. We set all our money on the race. But at the start I crashed with Sato - very frustrating. You work hard all weekend with the team for a good result and then you are finished, after one corner. But that is part of this sport. The next race in Monza won't be easy. Our car is not designed for low downforce tracks. Maybe we get an upgrade for the engine. That would be good.
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In qualifying you often have problems with people driving in your way. We talk a lot about it in the drivers' meeting. If you are on your in- or out-lap, you have to move. But as soon as we are on track, some people seem to forget all about it. I had some trouble with Coulthard. We talked about it and he apologised. Of course he doesn't do it on purpose; nobody should forget what we have agreed on. Drivers of the faster teams seem to forget that we are also driving our race. They think that I will cost them time when they are behind me on their fast lap and try to keep in front of me in their in-lap. That is nonsense. As soon as I finished my quick lap, I will give them all space that is needed.
With my engineers, I'm looking at next year's car. It looks good. I have no reason to change teams. In this respect, everything is under control. My management is finalising the contracts. There is no reason to change teams for me. It's good to go on with the same people. I think my team mate Christijan Albers will stay too, which would be good. We know each other and are pushing each other all year and will do the same in 2007. That's what the team wants. Both Alex Schaider and the possible new owners want the same kind of team. My management had discussions with both of them.
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