Nasser Al-Attiyah and Matthieu Baumel - Q&A
Driver / co-driver: Nasser Al-Attiyah and Matthieu Baumel (Ford Fiesta RRC).
Press conference
Q:
Nasser how are you feeling after such a superb year?
Nasser Al-Attiyah:
I am really so happy to have this title again. This year is a special one, to win Dakar, Cross Country, Middle East and now WRC 2, we cannot do anything more. But OK, to come back this rally, this was not easy for everybody. We tried to do our best from the start. We had flat tyres, but after we were thinking for the championship. Then when we see Lappi crashing, I couldn't concentrate, I was thinking about the world championship and then I forget the other driver and he is leading and he can win! Even on the last stage when we go with 0.1 seconds difference between me and Armin [Kremer], I tired to give everything. And thanks to Ogier for cancelling the stage!
Q:
It was always going to be dramatic, were you nervous before the last stage?
Nasser Al-Attiyah:
Before the start, we shook hands and said: "Let's do what we can - whoever wins it will be good." But, OK when it was cancelled this was it... but we would have loved to do the stage. There was a crash for Ogier, but both the crew were OK. But it was not possible to run it again.
Q:
Can things get better?
Nasser Al-Attiyah:
I don't think so, I can't think to have anything better. To defend our title, win three races, we lose a few races and then come back. It was not easy, we don't know if we win this title again, but I am quite happy - it's a good season for us.
Q:
What's next?
Nasser Al-Attiyah:
We have no rallies next week. Next week it's the Asian Championship for shooting, to prepare for the Olympic Games.
Q:
Mathieu, congratulations - what does this mean to you?
Mathieu Baumel:
This is very special. We have been to 22 races in different championships and we won 15 or 16 events. This is fantastic, nobody did this before and winning Dakar as well - we can only be happy.
Q:
It's been a big challenge on this rally?
Mathieu Baumel:
We knew it would not be easy on the Tarmac. We did our best on the gravel, but had some small problems. After that, we try do our best on the Tarmac and in the end it was good - we won by 0.1, but it's the game.
Q:
Do you have time for a celebration?
Mathieu Baumel:
Yeah, we have a rest now. For me, I have some days to rest, but after that we need to focus to the next Dakar. This will be a different race with new cars coming now, it's a big target and we need to be ready for the start in 2016 - it won't be easy.
