01.05.2004 "The 40 kg makes a lot of difference, I expected to be behind them, maybe not so much” , post ETCC qualifying reaction from Magny-Cours
Fabrizio Giovanardi at Magny Cours

Gabriele TARQUINI – AutoDelta Squadra Corse, 7th

"Everybody was concerned about Alfa’s excessive power after Valencia, and we just slowed down. It was our choice…

"To be serious, obviously after our results in Spain everybody is asking what happened today. Valencia was a special occasion: the track suits our car very well and all the fastest BMWs had ballast onboard, while we did not.

"Here it is exactly the opposite: we are overloaded, they are lighter and the track suits them better, as we saw last year. The 40 kg make a lot of difference, I expected to be behind them, maybe not so much.”

Michele BARTYAN – Oregon Team, 10th

"I am really pleased with today’s result. I could not aim for any better: I’m in the top-ten overall, on pole position in the Independents Trophy, and my best time is very close to those of the AutoDelta drivers.

"The previous races were not so lucky for me, and therefore I’m obsessed by which tactic I should adopt tomorrow. Should I attack to break into the point positions, or keep a conservative pace to finish both races? I have to be clever and stay off the incidents.

"My goal is to finish the first race in the top-eight, and start the second ahead.”