Quotes

James Ruffier – No.1 Martini Callaway Corvette Z.06R GT3: “It’s great to start from pole position, but nothing has been decided yet; our rivals are all fast. We will have to count the points this evening and tomorrow, and see how it goes. We feel very confident, but it’s not going to be easy – we need to push, but also be sure we finish safely. I left my lap so late because I was trying to find a clear lap – there was a lot of traffic. I got one lap, and on that one I was worried that the car in front of me would get in the way, but he was quick enough so I didn’t need to overtake.”

 

Arnaud Peyroles – No.1 Martini Callaway Corvette Z.06R GT3: “I did my best, and I’m pleased with the result. This track is very technical so I have to work hard; before the first race I will go through the data with James to see where I could improve. It will be a big fight – my target will be to keep well up the field and hand the car over to James in a good position.”

 

Sascha Bert – No.2 Martini Callaway Corvette Z.06R GT3: “I’m very pleased with fourth; there was a lot of traffic in the beginning, but then I got a clear lap. We’re in a good position for the race. The team have done a brilliant job for the race – and I did some special preparation, I lost 10kg!”

 

Thomas Accary – No.8 Hexis Racing Aston Martin DBRS9: “I am very disappointed at being a second away from pole position. So I need to make a great start, and then fly to the win! We must score a lot of points, so we need to push, but we also need to be sure we finish the race. And for tomorrow, Pierre-Brice has qualified very well, so that is good.”

 

Julien Rodrigues – No.9 Hexis Racing Aston Martin DBRS9: “That was a poor qualifying session – I had problems with the engine, so I’m very disappointed. Nothing else to say, really – we should be much higher than fifteenth.”

 

Frédéric Makowiecki – No.10 Hexis Racing Aston Martin DBRS9: “Second is great, but it’s also frustrating – four times this season we have been on the front row, but never on pole! The car is very consistent, so we should be able to have two good races. It was a good lap, and I don’t think I could have been any quicker – I was right on the limit.”

 

Ian Khan – No.20 Matech GT Racing Ford GT: “Before I went out the team found the oil pump drive belt had come off; they managed to get it back on, but not properly, so I was told to take it easy. On top of that, I had to bed in some brake pads – that’s racing.”

 

Thomas Mutsch – No.20 Matech GT Racing Ford GT: “I could have been quicker, but on three fast laps I had some traffic. I was just unlucky – but third place is still okay. The car still has oversteer – it was better than yesterday, but not perfect.”

 

Bradley Ellis – No.21 Matech GT Racing Ford GT: “I could have gone even quicker; I stayed out right to the end of the session in case someone beat my earlier time, and started to put in a faster lap, but it became clear that I didn’t need to, so I backed off to preserve the tyres. I’m really pleased to have taken a pole position in the FIA GT3 European Championship, which is a good achievement, now we need to follow it up with victory.”

 

Alex Mortimer – No.21 Matech GT Racing Ford GT: “The car was fantastic in that session. I think I might have pushed a little early on the tyres – towards the end of the session I was putting in my best laps, but the tyres were past their best. We’re really confident for the race because the car feels just fantastic.”

 

Martin Rich – No.25 Team Berlanga Ascar KZ1R GT3: “It was okay, but we’re disappointed – based on free practice we expected to be quicker. It seems that we didn’t find as much time on new tyres as our competitors. The only consolation is that it’s the same for both of our cars, so at least the drivers aren’t to blame! I think we got the most out of the car that we could – we’ll sit back and think about it, and make some changes for the races.”

 

Maxime Martin – No.31 AutoGT Racing Morgan Aero 8 GT3: “That was a great session, bearing in mind it is my first time in Dubai and first time in the Morgan. The team did a very good job on the car, so it’s a good result for everyone. We shall see what the race brings!”

 

 

2008-12-05
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