Questions with WilliamsF1 engineer Alex Lacoponi.

Is Patrick Head a good boss or very strict? "Yes, Patrick is a very good engineer and I am having a very good time working with him."

Alex how many hours are spent preparing the car for a GP weekend? "We have to work many hours a day, almost 16 hours per day until Sunday night."

What is the hardest part of your job at Williams? "Just before the race, making sure that everything is functioning properly."

Does HP help to improve the performance of the car?  "Yes, we get a lot of support with computers."

Which driver would you most like to work with? "Both of our drivers. "

How are things looking for this weekend?  "I think we will have a strong car here, and we hope to win the race."

which grand prix do you prefer? "Monza and Suzuka."

Who do you report to...who is above you in the hierarchy at Williams? "Sam Michaels he is the head race engineer."

Do you have much of a family life or do you travel with the team everywhere?
"Yes, I am married, but I have to travel quite a lot."

Do you think Williams can challenge for the 2003 WCC? "Yes, I am sure we can still challenge for the World Championship next year. We are fighting for the DC as well."

Has there been any technical difficulties during a race that has been overcome with two way telemetry? "Yes, we can control the oil level in the engine if the oil consumption is too high, traction control, fuel engine knocks and a few other things."

Are there any female race engineers in the team? "Yes, a new race engineer for ergonomics has joined us. She is Italian."

I assume that you are Italian...does that make you a Tifosi at heart? "Yes, I am Italian. My heart is with Williams."

Who is your favourite non Williams driver? "Giancarlo Fisichella. I think he is a very good driver in a not so good car."

Is there lots of variability in the setup of the traction control? Can adjustments be made at the track to compensate for tires/road surface, etc? "Traction control is very complicated now. We make adjustments on every run. We do need to compensate for tyre and road surface."

I'm guessing Monaco is your least favourite track...what is your favourite? "Yes, because you have to make a very quick car in qualifying. Other favourites are Suzuka and Monza."

Do you have an academic degree in Engineering? "I have an engineering degree in Electronic Controls."

Alex did you do any of the engine electronics ? "BMW looks after the engine electronics, and we interface with it on the Williams side."

Can you still enjoy f1 as a sport whilst working in it? "Yes, it is a very hard job, but I still enjoy it."

Have you begun to use two way telemetry? If not why not? Are you still testing it or is it being used? "Yes, we are using it. It is very powerful and useful. The electronics are very complicated, and we are giving a big help to the drivers."

How did you become an F1 engineer? "I first started to work for Ferrari road cars, then I moved to F1 working for a small team (Minardi) then ended up at Williams."

How long have you been in F1? "I have been working for F1 for eight years. I started in 1995."

Alex, who's car do you engineer, Juan's or Ralf's? "I work for both cars as I look after the electronics performance for both of them."

Alex, the FW24 has improved continually during the season, is there one area that has been most important in this improvement? "All of the areas of the car are important. We have made a lot of progress on the aerodynamics and the engine side."

what do you think of Montoya as a driver and as a person? "As a driver I think he is very good, a real fighter. As a person, he is very fun and easy to deal with."

How many race engineers does the BMW Williams team have during one race? "We have two race engineers per car on the chassis side, one race engineer per car on the engine side and myself for the electronics."

Courtesy HP and BMW WilliamsF1