Yoong comments on Japanese GP

Yoong: No Shortage Of Excitement In Japanese Grand Prix

Suzuka, Japan - Thursday, 11th Oct 2001 - European Minardi F1 driver, Malaysian Alex Yoong is amongst the early birds amongst Formula 1 drivers in Suzuka's final Formula round this weekend having arrived in Suzuka yesterday morning.

"It's nice to be back in Japan as I have raced here before." said Yoong who had raced in Suzuka three times and tested another three times in the challenging 5.859km long, figure of eight circuit.

Yoong ranks the Suzuka Circuit as one of his three favourites besides Spa and Macau, "Ths Suzuka circuit has 21 corners, most of them well designed, and a long 800m front straight. The most daunting corner is of course the famous 130R where drivers with a very well set up car would barely take it flat out in top gear. Many will probably need a slight lift. This corner is just barely flat in a Formula Nippon car."

On this Sunday's race, Yoong is of the view that the weekend is just as exciting for the fans even though the championships for drivers and constructors are over, "Watch the gigantic battle for the 5th constructors position between Jordan and BAR as well as the fight for seventh between Jaguar and Benetton. There should be no shortages of drama and excitement for the fans."

As for his European Minardi team, Yoong said, "The team would love to get 2 points to finish within the top ten teams this year and get the additional US$10 million travel funds for next year. To be honest though it does look like that will be difficult."

Yoong will be looking forward to a good performance this weekend to cement his 2002 re-signing with Minardi for his first full season next year.

For the first time since MAGNUM confirmed the tie-up with the European Minardi team, a contingent from the Malaysian Ministry of Youth and Sports led by the Minister himself will be at the grand prix together with MAGNUM's representatives to give Yoong the moral support.

-AYR-