Questions we asked Jos

Published on 17 May 2001 by Verstappen Info Page

After the Austrian Grand Prix we (the VIP team) have asked Jos some questions about the weekend. We will do this after every race.

You were able to 'easily' overtake Coulthard when your car was light. Overtaking Barrichello seemd somewhat harder although you closed the gap pretty fast. What caused this?
“Well, you're talking about a Ferrari....I was able to keep up with the pace but overtaking was a bit risky. The race was long and in our group (Michael Schumacher, Barrichello and myself) were gaining on race leader Montoya. I expected that something would happen and that made me decide to stay behind Rubens.”
Tom Walkinshaw commented after the race that he thinks you are a very good driver during the races, but you need to qualify better. What is your comment on this?
“The whole team and myself know what is needed to improve our qualifying position. We are working very hard on this at the moment.”
Did the fuel tank of the A22 allow you to do a one stop strategy or were you forced to do two stops?
“It would have been possible to make one stop. But to have a chance to get up front it was better to make two. We tried several scenarios on the computer and a two stop strategy seemed the best option.”
Until now the Arrows did not seem to perform well in dry races, has a lot been changed concerning this?
“We all know that the straight line speed of the A22 is very good. Spielberg is a circuit that allows you to overtake. All these factors were in our favour last weekend. And yes, the A22 is being improved bit by bit. ”
What are the expectations for Monaco, taking the A22's possibilities in consideration?
“Gee, that is hard to predict. The aerodynamics are better than last year. We will have to test the changes we made in Valencia. Friday I will try to give you a prediction.(!)”
In your last run in the qualifying session you spun due to a flat tyre. How did the car feel in that last run?
“The car felt really good, but my spin was not caused by a flat tyre...“
Michael Schumacher would not have been happy after your spin, did you speak with him afterwards?
“Yes, no problem.“