Post by Viper on Oct 15, 2005 17:48:05 GMT -5
Team Manager and driver Diogo Vincenzi, talks about the future of Audi
October 15th, 2005
Today, Diogo Vincenzi took a few moments to talk to press about the current season, the next one and how things are shaping up for Audi in the future. Among several things, rumours of a side Audi league seems to be true which should bring some off season excitment for the fans.
WSRC: You have 92 points right now, 2 more then Rocha and 3 less then Glanville. Were you expecting to be on this situation right now, in the season?
I don't know to be honest. So much hapened this season that it's hard to say. I could be in a better position if the car had not stalled at Germany. It was probably the worst part of the season for me, having to pull away from that race. We were doing really well that weekend, with the pole and not getting the points was really terrible.
WSRC: What about the races you didn't participate on the mid-season? It isn't clear yet why team Audi wasn't there to race.
Yeah, the arm injury I got at Barcelona ended up being a bit more serious then we thought. It was tough time, since we couldn't really do nothing. We lacked a second driver and consequently a test driver to substitute me in a case like this. But we only lost 3 races there, and Rocha didn't participate aswell, so we didn't lose much. Only Glanville got away a bit from us of course.
WSRC: Japan GP is only a week away. How do you see your chances for this race?
Suzuka is a favorite for me. We've done tests there in the past, so the circuit is not strange to the team. Come next wednesday, we'll be starting to test the car again for the race. Right now we are doing some adjustments to the car at Hockenheim, and it seems to be working really well. So I think we have a real shot this weekend.
WSRC: How does the B spec car compares so far to the old car?
I think it is a lot better then the old one really. The aerodynamics are definately better and the engine is also more reliable now. From the tests we did at Hockenheim, we were able to gain time on some parts of the track due to those reasons.
WSRC: And how is the progress for the 2006 car's going?
It's going smoothly. We've actually been designing it for a few months now, and I already tested it at the Nurburing, Hockenheimring and Monza. Lonnie also agreed on testing it at Suzuka, and he seems pleased with the car so far. There is still things to be done on it, and I think when next year comes we'll be better then ever.
WSRC: Images of the car?
Hehe, not yet. The livery is not finalized yet, and the bodywork is not totally final too. It is better then the current one for sure though.
WSRC: There have been a few talks about a second team using Audi engines. How's that coming?
It's not (Laughs). Well, actually, the factory is interested. It would be only an engine deal though, we'd have no other power in the team. The original idea of having a B team has been scrapped of completely. If any teams are in need of an Engine, call us! (Laughs)
WSRC: Another rumour that has been circulating is that of an Audi league. What's it really about?
Yeah, that's actually almost reality now. We were arranging originally, a league with cars like the ones we use in the WSRC. Something like what Renault does with GP2 and F1. That ended up not being finalized due to lack of sponsors and a few other problems. Mainly, it would be better if we could run the series during the WSRC season, but that's not currently possible.
What seems more likely though is our second idea, and that's using Audi A4s to make a short series in the WSRC break between seasons. The first Prototype is in the works, and I should be testing it in a few weeks. Most likely, we'll have 8 teams, each sponsored by a diferent company and managed separetely. But everyone using the same car and engine. Three teams are currently confirmed, the first is an Audi run team with me in the first car, and the second team will be managed by Coca-Cola. The third is set to be run by Miller. Other companies that seems to be interested are Heineken, Budweiser, Intel and Texaco. We have some other proposals but nothing set to stone yet.
All races will happen at Europe, with the exception of the middle one, that'll be at Suzuka. That's because, following our current WSRC contract, Bridgestone will be sponsoring the series, and supplying tyres, and they requested a race there. Some of the other locales will Nurburing, Hockenheim, Spa, Hungaroring and Monza. It should be an interesting season. The only confirmed driver is me.
WSRC: Seems really interesting. Won't that interfere with the WSRC schedule?
No not all. The first race should happen a few weeks after the season finale, and then we end it a good time before the season start. It'll only be 9 races so it's a short season.
WSRC: Finally, the final race of the current season will be at Melbourne. A fitting choice for the season ending?
Yes, I think it is. Melbourne is also a favorite track of mine. I raced there before in other series and I know my way around the circuit well. It'll be definately a great race, specially since the championship will probably be decided there as it's looking right now.
October 15th, 2005
Today, Diogo Vincenzi took a few moments to talk to press about the current season, the next one and how things are shaping up for Audi in the future. Among several things, rumours of a side Audi league seems to be true which should bring some off season excitment for the fans.
WSRC: You have 92 points right now, 2 more then Rocha and 3 less then Glanville. Were you expecting to be on this situation right now, in the season?
I don't know to be honest. So much hapened this season that it's hard to say. I could be in a better position if the car had not stalled at Germany. It was probably the worst part of the season for me, having to pull away from that race. We were doing really well that weekend, with the pole and not getting the points was really terrible.
WSRC: What about the races you didn't participate on the mid-season? It isn't clear yet why team Audi wasn't there to race.
Yeah, the arm injury I got at Barcelona ended up being a bit more serious then we thought. It was tough time, since we couldn't really do nothing. We lacked a second driver and consequently a test driver to substitute me in a case like this. But we only lost 3 races there, and Rocha didn't participate aswell, so we didn't lose much. Only Glanville got away a bit from us of course.
WSRC: Japan GP is only a week away. How do you see your chances for this race?
Suzuka is a favorite for me. We've done tests there in the past, so the circuit is not strange to the team. Come next wednesday, we'll be starting to test the car again for the race. Right now we are doing some adjustments to the car at Hockenheim, and it seems to be working really well. So I think we have a real shot this weekend.
WSRC: How does the B spec car compares so far to the old car?
I think it is a lot better then the old one really. The aerodynamics are definately better and the engine is also more reliable now. From the tests we did at Hockenheim, we were able to gain time on some parts of the track due to those reasons.
WSRC: And how is the progress for the 2006 car's going?
It's going smoothly. We've actually been designing it for a few months now, and I already tested it at the Nurburing, Hockenheimring and Monza. Lonnie also agreed on testing it at Suzuka, and he seems pleased with the car so far. There is still things to be done on it, and I think when next year comes we'll be better then ever.
WSRC: Images of the car?
Hehe, not yet. The livery is not finalized yet, and the bodywork is not totally final too. It is better then the current one for sure though.
WSRC: There have been a few talks about a second team using Audi engines. How's that coming?
It's not (Laughs). Well, actually, the factory is interested. It would be only an engine deal though, we'd have no other power in the team. The original idea of having a B team has been scrapped of completely. If any teams are in need of an Engine, call us! (Laughs)
WSRC: Another rumour that has been circulating is that of an Audi league. What's it really about?
Yeah, that's actually almost reality now. We were arranging originally, a league with cars like the ones we use in the WSRC. Something like what Renault does with GP2 and F1. That ended up not being finalized due to lack of sponsors and a few other problems. Mainly, it would be better if we could run the series during the WSRC season, but that's not currently possible.
What seems more likely though is our second idea, and that's using Audi A4s to make a short series in the WSRC break between seasons. The first Prototype is in the works, and I should be testing it in a few weeks. Most likely, we'll have 8 teams, each sponsored by a diferent company and managed separetely. But everyone using the same car and engine. Three teams are currently confirmed, the first is an Audi run team with me in the first car, and the second team will be managed by Coca-Cola. The third is set to be run by Miller. Other companies that seems to be interested are Heineken, Budweiser, Intel and Texaco. We have some other proposals but nothing set to stone yet.
All races will happen at Europe, with the exception of the middle one, that'll be at Suzuka. That's because, following our current WSRC contract, Bridgestone will be sponsoring the series, and supplying tyres, and they requested a race there. Some of the other locales will Nurburing, Hockenheim, Spa, Hungaroring and Monza. It should be an interesting season. The only confirmed driver is me.
WSRC: Seems really interesting. Won't that interfere with the WSRC schedule?
No not all. The first race should happen a few weeks after the season finale, and then we end it a good time before the season start. It'll only be 9 races so it's a short season.
WSRC: Finally, the final race of the current season will be at Melbourne. A fitting choice for the season ending?
Yes, I think it is. Melbourne is also a favorite track of mine. I raced there before in other series and I know my way around the circuit well. It'll be definately a great race, specially since the championship will probably be decided there as it's looking right now.