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German GP: Thursday Press Conference

NEWS STORY
21/07/2011

Timo, earlier on this year you called for some sort of change of direction with the Marussia Virgin Racing team. Are you happy with recent developments?
Timo Glock: To be honest on track definitely in terms of the performance of the car I think we are not where we want to be, but in terms of changes for the future I am happy. The commitment the team made and the announcement of the partnership with McLaren is a positive sign for the future. At the moment operating on track we are getting the maximum out of our package, more than 100 per cent sometimes and it is a bit unfortunate that people don't see it that we are doing a good job at the back but that's how it is. We have to make the best for next year.

When would you expect to see improvement then? Not until next year?
TG: It is difficult to say, depends on how quickly we can really start in terms of looking into this year's car. If we find quick improvement I think we can manage to bring an update at the end of the year, but it is too early to say. I just hope we can do a proper job in terms of the development for the 2012 year and if we have something for the 2011 year it would be great.

Nick, we understand the team has recently upgraded its wind tunnel from 50 per cent to 60 per cent. Has that held up things and are you expecting now to see progress?
Nick Heidfeld: Yes, definitely it slowed things down a bit but in the long term it is definitely a benefit. After we changed that, already we understood more and saw a few more directions we could develop into. We are actually bringing some bigger parts for the Nurburgring race here onto the car which hopefully will work straight away. The figures look good but it is quite big so it is going to be interesting to see the data from the circuit. I hope even more than usual we will have dry conditions as in the wet it will be more tricky to find out.

It is interesting to hear from some people that you are still considered as a stand-in driver for Robert (Kubica). Obviously you would like to hold onto your drive for next year. What do you need to do?
NH: Well as always in Formula One you just do the best job you can. I try to deliver on the circuit and then you hold talks and see how it goes. So far I think the season has gone quite well. We have had some problems over the last couple of races but were still able with the team to hold onto some points. We try to fight Mercedes, but not Sebastian, he is a bit too far a way. But trying to beat Mercedes. They just overtook us on the last race and that's what we are targeting.

Adrian, your thoughts on the team's and your performance at this half-way juncture in the championship?
Adrian Sutil: I would say a difficult start to the season, but we knew that after the winter test. Now we are creeping up, getting better and better, so I think the next half of the season is going to be our season. That's what we are fighting for. It is not too bad. We wanted to have a bit more points, of course. I think we missed a big opportunity in Montreal and also at the last race in Silverstone. The cars were running fine. We were both, me and Paul (di Resta) were in the points but then we had a little issue in the pit-stops and strategy didn't work out so well. But the potential is there. You can really feel we are really close to the Q3. Sometimes we are able to go into Q3 and then the race pace is there as well. Not too unhappy, but know we have to show it on track again and score a lot of points for the next few races.

What does it mean for you to be racing here, your home grand prix? It could be a wet weekend. Huge number of fans expected and a quarter of the field is coming from the host country.
AS: Yeah, the Nurburgring for me is something special. It is the home of motor racing here in Germany. It is so beautiful and it is a real historical, old circuit and the atmosphere is very special anyway all around this area. I did my licence here, my race licence in the Nurburgring as well many years ago. It is a place where I always like to go. My family also is close to this place and so it is my real home grand prix.

Did you learn sledging here like, as Nick said, he learnt to sledge here as well?
NH: And bicycle.

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