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Abu Dhabi GP: Thursday Press Conference

NEWS STORY
01/11/2012

Vitaly, like a number of drivers here today whom we'll all be talking to about the same subject, the future is not decided for you. What are your feelings about that, what's happening and when are we likely to hear about it?
Vitaly Petrov: Bob, I think you'll know what I mean when I answer this question. Last time you asked Nico [Hulkenberg] the same question so, I think I will answer the same: I'll focus on this year trying to do the best race to race. My management is doing the work and that's it.

What about the recent performances? The car seems to be going better. Are you happy with that? You've been matching Heikki pretty much if not finishing ahead of him.
VP: I'm working quite hard to beat him every race and I have a goal. Look like we now understand much more the car and the set-up. We're very excited for this weekend because we bring quite a big package of updates, so we'll need to test a lot of things in P1, P2 and P3 - probably even in quali. We're looking forward to understanding them, as those updates will probably be on next year's car as well. So I'm really excited to see how they are because in the last few months we bring some updates but we didn't bring in... towards being quicker, you know. So this is why this test is quite important for us.

Daniel, the news came out a couple of days ago that you're staying with the team. I guess everybody thought that was automatic but it doesn't seem that way.
Daniel Ricciardo: I guess until something's signed and sealed, you always keep a bit reserved, so it's nice to get confirmation that I'll be back with Toro Rosso next year. Yeah, it's good to now focus on the last few races and it's good to know we've got that behind us for next season. There are some big expectations there have been some big changes throughout this year and they'll be in full effect next year essentially. It's been a little bit too late to make a huge difference this year but we're definitely expecting good things for next year and I'll have a bit more experience behind me, which will help as well.

Talking about improvements in the car, will there be improvements here?
DR: We hope so. We're not bringing any big updates this weekend, nothing to brag about. We've been pretty good since the summer break, we've definitely been more consistent in compiling the points more regularly. Unfortunately, in India it wasn't the case, but prior to that we've been pretty good. This weekend we'll see what happens. Quite a few sponsors and guests here this weekend, so we'll do our best to impress them all.

Charles, also a question about the future. What is there in the pipeline for you?
Charles Pic: I don't know, there are still three races to go and I want to be focused on this. Of course we are asking about next year but nothing is done, so I will have to wait.

Are there updates coming for the car here?
CP: No. I think from Singapore we made a step and we are much closer to Caterham, our direct competitor and our objective is to try to keep this 10th position.

Kamui, again, another future question for you, what's happening with you?
Kamui Kobayashi: Hi everyone. I have the same thing as the guys - we have to work hard to get next year's seat. I think I'm pretty confident to deserve a Formula One seat but for sure we definitely need to focus for these last three races. So, let's see. We don't have so many seats [available] either, so this is also a big question, so I think I try to focus on the results and also negotiate with other teams or the same team, I don't know.

And this is a circuit where you scored your first World Championship points, so it must be one that you remember.
KK: Yes, definitely. I have a good memory here. Abu Dhabi is one of my good memories of track, and especially I think like Toyota's race is something special for me and at the same time scoring first points here. Of course I think we had different cars and I think had to take a different approach. But the last two years experiencing it with the same team I have quite a positive feeling for here.

Felipe, we haven't spoken to you since you were decided for 2013 for Ferrari. It must be a relief to be signed.
Felipe Massa: Yes, I think it's very nice to stay with Ferrari after a long time now. Going to the eighth championship for Ferrari, not counting even when I signed the contract when I was a young driver. Not so young anymore but still a young driver, before Formula One, when I signed a contract for Ferrari. It's a long time now. It's very nice, and really looking forward to finish well this end of the Championship but also to concentrate 100 per cent for different and very competitive 2013 as well.

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