“I’m still in the title fight, and I still have a good chance to hold my championship crown. However, we have to work hard, because if we continue on the same trend as in the three final meetings, then it would be very difficult to remain in contention.”

As you said, in Magny-Cours, Hockenheim and Brmo your Autodelta Alfa Romeo 156 were not in the best shape, and you have collected only 15 points in six races.

“Correct, although I have to say the we also had some bad luck. Without the collision in Hockenheim, when all our three cars were involved, and Rydell pushing me off in Brno, I would be in a much better situation. But it’s true that our car is struggling to stay on the winning pace. It seems the new tyres don’t suit it very well, specially when is hot, and specially on those tracks with long, half-speed corners. Or maybe we have not managed yet to adapt its set-up to the tyres. This is the reason why we have taken the decision to test in Vallelunga and Fiorano.”

What are your expectations for the next races?

“I have quite high expectations, because we will be visiting two circuits that suits well the Alfa, Donington and Spa. I am confident that we will be on the pace again there, tough I must obtain good results in all the races. Last year in both Donington and Spa, I won the first race and did not finish in the second one. Now I can’t afford it.”