No repeat of tactics for Minardi

Published on 20 March 2003 by Huub Rothengatter

We just spoke with Jos, who arrived back in his hotel from a gala dinner in a warm Malaysia. At 3pm local time Jos was present during the FIA press conference together with Rubens Barrichello, Jenson Button, Heinz Harald Frentzen, Juan Pablo Montoya and Jarno Trulli.

Yesterday afternoon Jos made his walk around the the circuit in Sepang accompanied by his son Max, engineer Greg Wheeler and Rayomond Vermeulen. "It was two years ago since I had been here." Jos comments. "This walking lap is to see where the braking points are and to inspect the corners." Later Max was allowed to sit in his dad's car, the PS03 Jos used in Melbourne.

Max doesn't want to come out, Jos thinks it's funny.

This morning the technical team briefing took place. "We don't only look at the new data we gathered two weeks ago but also at the data of this particular circuit." Jos explains. "With this data we determine where the emphasis has to be in the free practices on Friday."


Jos and Max walking a Malaysian lap, Greg Wheeler on the right.

Jos went to the gala dinner together with Justin Wilson and team principal Paul Stoddart. They had a little chat with various governmental people. Paul Stoddart has excellent connections within the Malaysian government, that is why they were invited.

The tyres will play an important role during qualifying and race. Jos says he is very confident about the Bridgestone tyres. "We will have to see how everything goes when we are actually on the track."

Tomorrow morning Minardi will test for 2 hours and then enter the first qualification training. In this qualifying session Jos will enter the track in 11th position, the position he takes in the World Championship. Can we expect a tactical move from Minardi, like in Melbourne? Jos and Justin drove back into the pits after their flying lap. The FIA has not planned any changes to the regulations (yet) after what happened in Melbourne. Does this mean that Jos and Justin will not set a time? Jos: "No, we will go out and set a qualifying time. We will try to get as far to the front of the grid as possible. Sunday we will definately have to go for a 2 pitstop strategy."

At the moment it is warm in Kuala Lumpur. The temperature during the day is 35 degrees Celsius, the tarmac 42 degrees Celsius. The weather forecast for this weekend: very inpredictable. Jos: "from one minute to another it can start raining here. So what it will be this weekend? I wouldn't know, but rain would be nice."