Web story-Teams 18112017
Meet-the-Crews - Transcript
Service Park Stage
Saturday 18 November 2017
Present:
Thierry Neuville, HYUNDAI MOTORSPORT
Jari-Matti Latvala, TOYOTA GAZOO WRT
Ott Tanak, M-SPORT WORLD RALLY TEAM
Q:
What a fascinating day we have had out there. Thierry you are in the lead at the end of Day 2, it’s been an incredible day for you, some great times. You came out this afternoon really determined, took a bid chunk of time advantage over Jari-Matti and now you have twenty seconds in hands going into the final day. How are you feeling?
TN:
Feeling great. I think that since yesterday we have been really pushing hard, trying ot fight for the victory here. We knew it was going to be difficult but actually now it seems like it could be possible so we are really happy wth our performances as well as with the team. They have worked very well especially at mid day when we had to change the gear box and work on the car, the steering, everything has been changed so big job of them, thanks to them. Now I just focus on tomorrow because tomorrow seems to be an interesting day.
Q:
It could be really interesting with the weather but let’s talk a little bit about the conditions out there today because, lots of rain on the Nambucca test over night last night left it quite wet in the first section. How tough was that today?
TN:
To be honest really surprisingly the grip was really high in the morning, I felt like OK the first 10 km were a little bit wet but still the grip was quite good and we had not much surprises but tomorrow if there will be rain it will be completely a different story. There are more forest sections and if they are wet they are going to be really slippy and there will be plenty of surprises, where you can easily go off so we have to keep focused. We have to keep doing our job because I know Jari-Matti and he never gives up. Even with forty or one minute behind us, he would still try to push and catch the time. So I know tomorrow is going to be a long day.
Q:
Yes he told us at stage ends today he is not going to give up until the final time control.
TN:
He never gives up!
Q:
It’s going to need something pretty special from him to try and catch you tomorrow but anything can happen with Jari-Matti Latvala. How much are you prepared to get the final win of the season? How important is that to you?
TN:
I have not much to lose to be honest. I came here to fight for victory, now we are in that position and I am looking forward. Like I said before we are still fighting with Ott for the second place in the championship but I said, if there is an opportunity for me to win I will right away go for the win so now I have to go for it!
Q:
You have been second in the championship a few times, you know what that’s like?
TN:
Yes exactly so it all changed. I think I was fighting all season for the title, obviously we lost it so we didn’t achieve our main goal this season but now four wins for the year would be a great achievement for me but as well for the whole team.
Q:
Of course it would. Thank you Thierry. Jari-Matti everyone is going to be watching you tomorrow to see what you can do out there. What can you do? Twenty seconds, is it doable with 64 km?
JML:
To be fair the performance of Thierry has been amazing today. I mean … he did really really well today. In normal conditions, if it’s normal dry conditions, it’s no chance to get it by driving but as we have seen, specially this year in Poland, when it gets wet, when it gets really slippy, then things can happen you know, you have to be really focused`
TN:
Who won in Poland?
JML:
I can’t remember! It was maybe you! So yes you are good on those conditions but you have to come to the finish first. So that is important and so you now, I remember.. Ott was there, he hit the pole in Poland when it was really muddy, difficult conditions so…
Q:
Thanks for reminding him of that!
JML:
He knows about this pole. I know as well so, he is a tough guy so he understands and we will be teammates next year so of course we have to have an inside humour as well! So it’s going to be a demanding day tomorrow and I need to be prepared for that.
Q:
You do need to be prepared. How does Jari-Matti prepare to go into battle, that’s what we want to know? What do you do?
JML:
I was already once in the stages that’s one point. But all the rest I can’t tell you because it has to be a secret. Because if I tell openly … it’s like when you plan cards and if you show your cards….
Q:
What is going to be the toughest challenge out there tomorrow? We’ve got a long stage that’s 31 km long that’s Bucca’s stage, is that the stage where you can make a difference?
JML:
Yes normally that ‘s the stage where I think Andreas Mikkelsen and Sébastien Ogier had a big fight last year and that’s where Andreas won the rally last year. We must also remind that if the conditions are difficult Ott is also not far away from me so I am a little bit like a sandwich so we will see how it is out there tomorrow but now I look forward to go to bed, sleep well and wake up with a full energy level!
Q:
Before I let you go you said a line at stage end today which made me laugh. You said you know how to drive now, you don’t fear the trees anymore, we like that one, we are going to have it put on a T Shirt Jari-Matti!
JML:
I like that! Maybe because it is my teammate co-driver, he said Jari-Matti it looks like you are getting old when you speak about trees so I felt maybe I am getting a bit old so now I try to get them away from my head!
Q:
Good luck to you tomorrow Jari-Matti. Let’s turn to you Ott, you are in third position, you are only twenty seconds adrift of Jari-Matti. What’s your plan tomorrow, are you going to upset the apple cart here?
OT:
I am not so sure that anybody has any plan tomorrow. It will be something new, I think at least for me, Thierry and Jari-Matti have seen some wet stuff in Australia but for us I think it will be pretty much new and we need to discover a bit.
Q:
How difficult was it in the wet conditions today and was it that wet in Nambucca or not?
OT:
It was wet but it was normal gravel you know which actually improved the grip and I was very consistent so the beginning of Nambucca was nice to drive but as Thierry just said tomorrow will be a different day.
Q:
Do you think you have the pace to be able to try and catch the man who is going to be your teammate next year?
OT:
Yes sure today he’s just been going in rude mode so I will go for it! Just trying to show that we are actually awake but it’s all about tomorrow.
JML:
Yes I also had to stop in the stage for a coffee. You know how the Finns are!
Q:
How important is it Ott to take a good result from the final wagon? I know you were a bit emotional because tomorrow will be the final day in the Fiesta WRC. How are you feeling about that?
OT:
It’s something new. For the moment I have no idea about my feelings. I have never had that chance, it’s all new so we have to see but for the moment I am just focusing on doing my job. We still have plenty of km left and in really tricky conditions. So far I never talk about this and we just keep going.
Guys, I wish you the best of luck on the last day of competition in WRC !
(Ends)