ETCC - Rikli "Thanks to the good work of our team we achieved what we did today"

  • gb
30.04.17

FIA ETCC - Race of Monza, rounds 1 and 2 of 12 - Post qualifying press conference

ETCC, Monza, FIA, Motorsport

Present:
Peter Riki, Rikli Motorsport, first position
Christjohannes Schreiber, Rikli Motorsport, second position
Petr Fulín, Křenek Motorsport, third position

Q:
Congratulations on claiming the first pole of the season. You set a very good time to get under the two-minute barrier. How confident were you to get the pole position?

PR:
We weren't very sure at the beginning if we would be able to achieve what we achieved today and it wasn't very clear what would happen with the new tyres [new type of tyres], but it was a team effort and thanks to the good work of our team we achieved what we did today.

Q:
Turning to your team-mate Christjohannes, how did the new type of tyres perform in this first qualifying of the season?

CS:
Honestly, we were told that everything is knew, everything is better [regarding the new tyres], but from my point of view it's not such a big difference, so for me it's very easy to adapt to the new tyres. No problem at all.

Q:
You were the only other driver out there to get under the two-minute barrier. How would you compare yourself with Peter in terms of pure pace right now?

CS:
First of all, we were quite convinced already yesterday that it's possible to drive under two minutes, so no big surprise to me. Peter is very fast and it's not so easy to follow him, but I will do my best tomorrow and we will see.

Q:
Petr Fulín, you set your best lap very late. Your first timed lap was some 19 minutes into the session and you climbed to third place right at the end. How difficult was it out there?

PF:
It was a very crazy qualifying for us. During the free practice of today we had an absolutely good car. When I left the tent we found some problem concerning the fuel pump. That’s why we had to change it and, by the way, I have to thank the guys from SEAT as it was very important for us. I had new brake pads, that's why I spent two laps to make them work. One lap before [my final effort] I was eighth - or something like this, that’s why I am very happy to be here."

Q:
Looking ahead to tomorrow’s races, how confident are you to keep up with the Honda drivers?

PF:
I am also interested, it’s very difficult to say. Because from my last experience in Imola, the final race of last season, everybody knows that Honda is a bit better with traction from slow corners. That's why I expected that here it would be the first chicane - especially the exit. Everything will be new for us. We have some 2017 upgrade from SEAT so we will see, but I am looking forward. The winter break was very long, so I'm looking forward [to racing].