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Roman Rusinov: “We Are Already Locked and Loaded”
// Formula One Racing
On Saturday, famous Russian race driver Roman Rusinov for a first time participated in tests of Russian Formula 1 team Midland F1 in the Spanish city of Jerez. ROMAN RUSINOV told about his first drive in the main racing series, and what is going to be next, to the correspondent of Kommersant ALEXEI DOSPEKHOV.
-What are you impressions about the first tests in Formula-1?
- The most favorable ones: I have to say great thanks to Midland for providing me the opportunity. I feel like I made an important step: for a first time a Russian pilot was driving for a Russian team. I drove 28 laps in Jerez. It’s not that many because it was cold in the morning and we had to move the session just a bit. However, I drove these laps pretty well –showed good time. Our engineers from the “stable” were impressed. Head engineer Dominic Harlow, for instance, admitted, that it was a surprise for him that in Russia, a new country for Formula One Racing, there are such gifted and stable race drivers, who, also, can cooperate just fine with technical personnel of the race. I was ahead of two other pilots –Christian Albers and Fabrizio del Monte. Another one of my partner – Markus Winkelhock – showed a little bit better time than I. But he also went more than 50 laps too.
- Did these results come as a surprise for you?
- Yes, in a way. You will be surprised, but the circuit in Jerez is absolutely unfamiliar to me. I happened drive in almost all most famous auto-tracks of the world. However, I never raced in Jerez. And – I did not make a one mistake.
-How did you like the car?
-It is the fastest! Actually, this is most beautiful car from all that I have ever driven! The Bridgestone tires have awesome grip. The Toyota engine is absolute power…
- Was this easier to drive than the cars that you raced earlier – in different Formula series and FIA GT Championship?
- You see, I can’t say it is easier or harder. It is like another planet. I can only tell that the down force of this car can’t be compared to any other automobiles. It is also incredible how late it can brake and how strong the brake are.
-You have participated in Formula tests. Now, everyone wants to know what is going to be the next step?
- Let’s not jump ahead. Let’s say, everything goes according to the logic, and I do a good job. The tests are just another step in the way of getting into Formula One Racing. Now we need a Russian sponsor for the team.
- There is also the series A-1 that recently appeared. You participated in one race of this series –in Australia. Don’t you want to continue?
-I would love to. However, my participation in the A-1 series is a question for “Itera” (owner of the Russian team –Kommersant). I did not have a good debut race in Australia. First, I was sick. Second, I did not have luck in the race either. I was going on 9th position and fighting for the first five – and, suddenly, a Mexican collided with my car.
-Your current season turned out to be full of events: World Championship FIA GT, series A-1, and now - Formula One. Are you happy?
- I think, FIA GT was the perfect experience before Formula One in the sense of, let say, the feel of the car. Even despite the fact that we (Rusinov was driving for famous team JMB Racing on Ferrari – Kommersant) didn’t finish the championship, the leadership of the “stable” decided that the participation in final races would not make any sense for us because we were not in the position to take first place. And our original goal was only first place. This year I did not make one mistake. I never “flew” out from the track because of my fault. And tests for Formula One in the end of the season are a perfect accomplishment also.
-Can you say that you are ready for Formula One?
-Maybe, it would not sound modest, but… In my opinion, currently there are all components for Russia to be fully represented in main racing series. There is a Russian team. There is a pilot, who can drive the car fast. So, we are already locked and loaded…
All the Article in Russian as of Dec. 13, 2005
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