Quotes before Dijon

Gary Paffett, the best-placed Mercedes-Benz driver of the 2009 season, who is in third place in the championship chasing a lead of 14 points after eight out of ten races:

“Although it’s hardly realistic to think that the 14 points separating me from the current leader in the driver’s championship, Timo Scheider, can be made up in the two remaining races, my motto is the same as it was when I drove my very first lap: the championship is never over until the chequered flag has been reached.”

Paul Di Resta, second-fastest on the last test day in April 2009 in Dijon:

“During the test in April, we realised that the tyres are severely burdened by the many fast curves in Dijon and extremely burdened on one side by the numerous right hand corners. It’s going to be very important here to have a good pit stop strategy and to conserve the tyres over the whole stretch of the race.”

Bruno Spengler, French Canadian, resident in Strasbourg/France is setting off on his “home race”:

“Dijon is like a home race for me. The route is challenging. I’m aiming for a good result and hope to show some speed.”

Ralf Schumacher, winner of the French Grand Prix in the 2003 Formula 1 in Magny-Cours:

“The DTM tests in April made it clear that the circuit is very challenging and that the right tyre management is going to be particularly tricky with regard to set up and racing strategy. I hope I can turn this new challenge, which is a relatively new one for all of us, into an opportunity for myself.”

Norbert Haug:

“It is good to find a new location for the DTM in Dijon, especially when the organiser has put so much effort into it as is the case with this event. Advance bookings for this premiere are selling well and we are all hoping to see a lot of seats occupied at Dijon.
Although the championship is as good as decided where the driver title is concerned, after eight races victory balance is still undecided at 4:4 between Mercedes-Benz and Audi and it’s going to be exciting to see who will manage the take the lead in that respect in France before the DTM finale in Hockenheim.
There is relatively little experience of this circuit, which is an ideal basis for an exciting race.”

Source : Mercedes-Benz