AIDA, JAPAN - (Courtesy Marlboro Sports Data System)
Transcript of a press conference with six selected drivers after final
qualifying for Sunday's Pacific Grand Prix, round two of the FIA Formula
One World Championship Series:

       PRESS CONFERENCE WITH SIX SELECTED DRIVERS

Michele Alboreto, Martin Brndle, Ukyo Katayama, Nicola Larini, Michael
Schumacher and Ayrton Senna

MB: I am happy with the circuit. It's quite technical, but rather small
and without many overtaking places. The organisation is good, as we have
come to expect in Japan.

MS: The [lack of overtaking places] is the only point where the circuit
is not 100 per cent right. If we do have same-speed cars I don't see any
overtaking possibilities. Once we start lapping the backmarkers, if they
don't watch for us it will be very difficult.

UK: It is like a go-kart circuit: very technical. Schumacher can use his
go-kart technique. I am going to talk to him about it later ...

MA: The organisation is good. Today the track was more slipery than
yesterday. And I agree that there are not too many places to overtake.

AS: When I arrived here and looked around, it didn't look as bad as
people had said. After having driven here, it is challenging. Not too
bumpy. But the main characteristic are what you expect from a low speed
circuit: it is tricky to drive here without traction control. There is
one good straight. The facilities are good for the mechanics to work and
I have nothing [to say] against it.

Q. Martin, tell us what happened after the Brazil accident.

MB: I had two difficult weeks where I was concussed and really not
making even as much sense as normal. So I just had to rest for two weeks
just before coming out here. It was a pity because I need some time in
the car. I feel fine, now.

Q. Do you prefer racing under the new regulations?

MB: The cars are much more challenging to drive, and I think it's a step
forward. It has closed the field up ad it is better racing. It was easy
with traction control because you could just hit the floor with the
throttle and look down the track.

MS: I agree. The drivers [have] become more important again.

UK: With the new regulations, my ['94 Tyrrell] is very similar to the
car I raced last year. So I can't say about the new regulations. But
with refuelling I lost 52 seconds in Brazil!

MA: It will be better for the drivers, a bit more fun, especially for
people like me who did't have active suspension. It is closer now, and
the racing is better because you can see harder fighting.

Q. Nicola, you spent a lot of time testing the active. Which do you
prefer -- active or passive suspension?

NL: I prefer a car without active. In testing it was dangerous, because
[of the risks of] trying a new solution.] I also prefer it without
traction control.

AS: When the active suspension was working well, the cars were much
easier to drive and to control. Now it is much more difficult. I am
not so sure about the refuelling. So far it has been no problem. But
it could be sme problem [in the future.] And when the problem comes,
people will start saying 'we said it was a dangerous thing ... it should
not have been brought back to F1.' But as for the rest of the '[rule
changes] I think it is more challenging for a driver, particularly in
the rain. Then it is going to be real challenging.

Q. What diference will refuelling make to driving technique?

AS: When you had 200 litres of in the fuel tank, you had to monitor [the
situation] much more, so as not to compromise your performance. Now
that we are running much lighter, and for shorter runs, it is more [a
matter] of just closing your eyes and going for it. You don't have to
bother if the tyres are being hurt. That takes away some of the driving
experience and the technique of monitoring tyre wear. In this respect,
also I question a little bit the efuelling and whether or not it helps
the driver.

Q. Nicola, how is it to come back to F1 after being away for three
years?

NL: For me it is normal. I have got used to changing from my DTM touring
ca and then driving a test with Ferrari on the next day. After Alesi's
accident Mr Todt explained to me what he wanted. But it is normal for
me, because I am the third driver on the team.

Q. At the start of the season, most of you had certain expectations
about F1 in 1994. How has it been so far?

MA: After being with the Scuderia Italia Lola last year, everything
should be better! Although we have had to start with the old car,
Minardi is a good team, wellorganised and we have a good developmet
programme. I am quite happy where I am, and my expectation is to get
some points. We have a lot of improvements to make in the car.

UK: When I shook down our new Tyrrell, I could feel a 100 per cent
difference from last year's car. I felt that this year would be MUCH
better than last year, although we must make more effort.

AS: My start was great, wasn't it? What can I say? I was clearly
expecting to do a lot better than I did in Brazil, but it didn't work
out. But hat was only one race. I need a few races before being able to
say I am fulfilling my expectations. And we are not there yet.