Q&A: Jaime Pintanel (BCN F3000).

After a trying debut season in the FIA F3000 Championship, in which it replaced former champion Nordic Racing, Spanish outfit BCN Competicion has already confirmed that it will be back for more next year.

The team had hoped to be present at at least one of the post-season FIA tests, but has yet to appear. Team manager Jaime Pintanel, however, insists that there is much going on behind the scenes to guarantee two cars on the grid next season.

Q:
How prepared is BCN for 2004?

Jaime Pintanel:
At this moment, we are working on the internal organisation of the team, all with a view to 2004. The team is working on two fronts, improving the general organisation and operation for the future and, in parallel, searching for sponsors and drivers for next year. With regard to drivers, we still do not have anything confirmed although, in brief, we expect to do so soon and, as soon as we know something, we will announce it.

Q:
A lot has been said about 2004, and BCN's participation. What is the real situation?

JP:
We can confirm our participation in the championship - something that we have already done with the FIA - and now we are preparing for that. With respect to the announcement that there has to be a minimum of 18 cars on the grid so that the championship can go ahead in 2004, we are confident that that will be the case.

However, we are aware that there may be problems preventing the number being reached, but we can say that, in that case, we would be willing to field three cars in order to help reach the 18 required. For us, this alone would signify a few changes to our logistics, since we would need to make some changes to our transportation plans, but we would do it. If there are any other kind of problems, they would be analysed with the FIA.

Q:
How do you see the future of BCN in F3000?

JP:
We are very much united with F3000. The category is what we want to run in right now, and we believe in it - the team is not looking at any other alternatives as we want to continue in F3000. For the category, I think that this is not going to be an easy year, because we have similar conditions to 2003, with a difficult situation in the economy and with other similar categories doing well in competition.

However, this will be an important season leading into 2005, when we will see a lot of changes, among which will be the new chassis, the new engine, and even the chance of racing on Sunday. We are working with the FIA so that, in the future, F2 is the best springboard for F1. We are collaborating to improve the spectacle as part of the grand prix weekend.