Please welcome your top three finishers for the Bahrain Grand Prix. The winner for the second time this season, Karl Beckenbauer, driving for Liverpool Grand Prix. In second, and securing their first 1-2 finish, Adrien Simon, also driving for Liverpool Grand Prix. And in third for the third time this season, Enrique Ruiz from the Franklin Formula One Team. Q: Karl, after starting second and Simon holding on to first for a few laps, how much of a pivotal moment for you was it when you stormed past your teammate after he emerged from the pits in front of you?
Karl Beckenbauer: Adrien came out of the pits and his tyres were cold. I had hot tyres after a whole lap of the circuit. I got past, I won the race. Q: You displayed some excellent driving skill today. Do you think that there was a realistic threat to you from outside the Liverpool garage this race? KB: No. Q: This year you have two wins and a second place to your name. Do you think that this could be your year to win the championship, despite Hoskins currently having a points advantage? KB: I don’t know. I’m not a fortune teller. Q: Moving onto you now Adrien, you started on pole after a rather fine lap in qualifying; do you feel you should have won this race? Adrien Simon: Yes, I think it was more important for me to win victory after I started on the pole. However, Karl is a fantastic driver, so I do not have too much disappointment. Q: Today your car seemed more or less untouchable, proven by the team securing their first one-two today by quite a margin back to the next team. Do you think more results like this are on the cards for you this season? AS: The car is the best on the grid right now. We can win every race in the season. Q: Liverpool have been what look to be the strongest team for the most part of the season. Do you think you’ll be able to take home the double like Franklin before you, and do you think you can beat Karl over the season? AS: Franklin is really a professional team, and I think it is possible for us to follow, it will be difficult! I think I have to beat Karl to keep my place in the team. Q: Going into this season, you weren't rated much by anyone other than Jamie. However, you've already gone and picked up a large points haul for the team. Do you see yourself able to maintain, or improve these results, seeing as you so far seem glued to third place? Enrique Ruiz: For sure, I think it’s been a good start to the season. In each race, I have been able to get good points for the team, which was my original goal. I'm definitely getting more comfortable with the car, and working with the engineers, so I can for sure improve and take the fight right to the front. Q: The Liverpool cars seemed untouchable for qualifying and that race; do you believe they may have brought with them a big upgrade package for Silverstone? If so, can you match this leap in development quick enough to limit the damage done? ER: It looks like the Liverpool has had some upgrades, but I wouldn't say untouchable. Qualifying was very close. Our car didn't seem to suit the cooler conditions, unlike in Bahrain and Malaysia, which definitely helped. It was sort of similar to Australia, but maybe a little worse. The whole weekend we struggled with tyre temperatures, so hopefully in Canada we see more heat. As for development…I have no doubt that the team can put us back on top. Q: Franklin proved last season that they were more than capable of spreading R&D between the current and next season’s cars in a sustainable manner, whilst staying ahead in the title race. Can the team replicate this again this season? ER: Erm, I think it will be more difficult this year, with not being the fastest team from the start, but as you say, the team has shown it is possible, so there is no reason why it cannot be a repeat. Q: Finally Karl, you and your teammate have encountered many issues with traffic this year. Do you feel that it’s somewhat suspicious that you encounter traffic more than anyone else, and what do you want to see done about it? KB: I don’t care. When we are in front, we are in front by a huge margin. That’s why it happens.
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