Q+A Albers

After his frustrating non-start in Bahrain, Christijan Albers is hoping for a dramatically better result in Malaysia. Life is sure to be interesting for him at the start and through the early laps, for lined up behind him are several top cars that have been subjected to penalties for engine changes.

Indeed, the last four places on the grid will be filled by the likes of David Coulthard, Rubens Barrichello, Felipe Massa and Ralf Schumacher. None of those guys will be hanging around for long, however, and Christijan and team mate Tiago Monteiro will be among their first targets as they try to gain ground on the leaders. Albers' own target will be to get the M16 safely to the end of the race, and put some valuable data in the bank.

Interview with Christijan Albers

You've got some quick guys behind you. Do you think you can have some fun in the early laps? "Yes, I'm looking forward to it. We have to be a little careful and see what happens at the start, but if things go off normally, I think it will be nice. It will be my first race of the season, hopefully!"

With those guys trying to get past, won't it get a little bit dangerous through the first couple of corners? "Yes, but I knew that it was dangerous when I started in F1, and it will always be like that! We will have to see tomorrow. Hopefully it's not a problem. I've just got to find a spot for myself. But you never know, if somebody hits me, I can't do anything about it."

How did things go last year with Minardi? "It went OK, but I really had problems with the seatbelts, especially when I stepped out of the car after the race. They were really too tight, and it was pulling the blood out of my legs. But after three or four days it was gone again, so it was alright. At least I drove the whole race, and hopefully I can do that again."

Do you like this track? It has some quite challenging quick corners... "It's not a bad place. It's good that it's tough here, because it's good for your conditioning! As I said, last year I finished, and I'm fitter than I was then, so let's see."

How have these two days been for you? "It's been OK. We could have gone a little bit quicker, but we're making progress all the time. It's not as much as the top teams make, but we are making steps, and that's the positive thing, especially as the car is really brand new. We're waiting, of course, for some new developments, and there are things on the car which could be much better."

The next race is in Australia. Is that one you enjoyed last year? "Yes, really a lot. I like the country - it's nice, and everybody's relaxed. Some of the corners are quite good. It's a little bit more about top speed, so we might have a hard time there, but anything is possible."

What's your plan for the week in between? "We're going on holiday for a few days, just to a little island not so far from here. I'll arrive in Melbourne on the Monday or Tuesday."

Will it be a relief to have a relaxing break after such a busy time in the last couple of months? "Yes, I have to agree with that! It was very busy in the winter with all the sponsors and testing and everything."

So you'll be switching your phone off for a few days? "We'll have to see! But I always have it on silent, anyway... "