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Brazilian GP: Thursday Press Conference

NEWS STORY
24/11/2011

Bruno, I think, first of all, you've had a pretty busy time since Abu Dhabi because you came straight here?
Bruno Senna: Yeah, well, to be honest last week I took [off] to rest and to get acclimatised as well. It was a bit cold in Brazil, so I didn't get to enjoy the sun but this week has been very busy and I think it's going to be a very busy weekend overall. But it's a home race so you have to get used to it and get on with it.

Are you excited about the fact it's a home race?
BS: Very excited yeah, it's my second time racing in Brazil and it's the first time I've going to be here in a competitive car so I think it should be an interesting race weekend, lots of pressure but very exciting as well.

You've had less than a half season, how tough has that been and how pleased have you been with the way you've tackled it?
BS: It's been very tough of course, competing with the guys that have tested and have done the whole season. It's not easy: these guys are not joking around here, they are the best drivers in the world and mixing with them is very satisfying. Overall, it's been a good experience, it would have been much better if I'd done the whole thing, for sure, but I think I'm pleased with the results. There have been ups and downs but the performance normally speaks for itself and hopefully we will still finish this race on a high note.

And the future?
BS: Well, that's still up for... ah... [it remains] to be seen, but I'm working very hard for the seat and hopefully we'll know the future as soon as possible.

Rubens, just going back to the last race, that was a great drive from the back of the grid, were you pleased with that?
Rubens Barrichello: I was! I was very pleased and, you know, even more that we had so many conversations with the team because there was some idea that Cosworth wanted to take the engine back to the factory and try to work around the engine, not to break the seal. I said: 'look, if it happens then you're going to have to open it anyway, the engine. I'm not going to use that engine in Brazil because I'm going to pay a penalty.' And the only other engine I had was a Friday engine that already had some mileage, so they said: 'OK, let's take the gamble' and when they broke the seal with the FIA there, they saw that it was such a minor thing. The engine became a ninth engine instead of the eighth, so I paid a penalty – but I was on the back anyway so, I have kind of a fresh engine for here. It was good to race hard in that respect. I didn't finish in the points but I still have a lot of pleasure from the drive.

And what does this race mean to you. This one here?
RB: Well, you ask me that every year!

It probably gets more important every year...
RB: It is! It's getting better. They know already that I've lived 20 years of my life just on the other side of the road and I know pretty much everyone around here. It's a lot of emotion coming to Interlagos and to drive here, so even though I don't have a competitive car you have to put hopes... you have to dream. My dream here this weekend is to put the car in the points and have the best finishing position that I can manage.

And are you worried about the future? What are your feelings about the future?
RB: I think it would be sad to be worried about the future. I had 19 lovely seasons, you can see that as much as I wish Bruno all the success in the future, he's having his second year, one-and-a-half years pretty much, working hard to stay there. I've been there for 19 seasons, I've been doing this for such a long time, I've been wanted for such a long time here, so I feel good. I feel that I still have a lot of youth on me, and it's not something that I'm asking 'please, give me the drive'. If somebody wants me to drive on a competitive basis it's because they believe I can do a very good job – that's why I'm here.

And after Abu Dhabi, presumably you've proved that you still can?
RB: Absolutely. It was really good – but I don't think the results right now would make any change in what people think I can do and what I cannot do. It's based on different parameters. I hope that it's enough to secure me a good drive for next year.

Daniel, a new circuit for you. Have you had a look around? How far have you managed to get so far?
Daniel Ricciardo: I was here last year playing a reserve role, so had a walk last year and I've done a few laps on the simulator so, yeah, I guess I'm coming to the new circuits already a little bit prepared. Y'know, this is another one the drivers seem to enjoy. It's a short lap here, we go round and round in circles for quite a few laps in Sunday and it's going to be good. I'm looking forward to it. I think like everyone else here, you know, I'm trying to end the season on a high and go home over Christmas and have something to be pleased about.

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