Q & A with Chris Vermeulen
| What do you think of the new CBR600F Sport machine ? "It's a good, solid machine. It's definitely an improvement on the 2000 model and I'm sure that will show in the lap times. I expect the times to be quicker at every circuit we visit - that's been the case with the other Honda teams who have tested the new Sport machine. The biggest single improvement I've noticed for 2001 is the front suspension. The Showa technicians have done their homework and the new 23mm front fork internals work well and feel very comfortable." What do you expect from your first full season in World Supersport ? "I want to stay upright! I know if you're consistent in this championship you'll finish well up in the final points standings. I'd also like to get through the first corner of every race, that alone gives me a great chance of bagging points at each round. Realistically, I'd like to be in the top 10 at every race and finish the championship in the top 10. I'm confident of getting on the podium at some point in 2001 but I've learned from the races last year that being on the front row is crucial. Michelin will help me try to achieve that, they're working on a softer compound tyre at the moment for qualifying." What are your thoughts on the World Supersport championship in general ? "It's a totally different championship to Superbike or 500 grand prix. It's a lot more cut throat than any other championship, the racing is really close and you can regularly have the top 20 riders within one second in qualifying. That's where the team effort counts, if we can get a tiny improvement or advantage over the opposition it could be worth five or six places." Who do you see as the title contenders in 2001 ? "I reckon Vittoriano Guareschi on the Ducati, Pere Riba on the Honda, Jorg Teuchert and Christian Kellner on Yamahas and Karl Muggeridge on the Suzuki will be challenging for the 2001 title." How does it feel being in the same team as the World Superbike champion ? "Good. Castrol Honda has a high profile and it's good experience for me to be in the same team as Colin and Tadayuki Okada. Colin's won the Superbike title and Tady's finished second in the 500cc world championship so they're both quality riders. Colin has helped me with new circuits, shown me the lines and made a few suggestions - but there's no way he's getting me on that chewing tobacco!" How much of a part does former 500cc world champ Barry Sheene play in your career ? "Barry organises my contracts with the team, Dainese and last year he made the introduction to the Castrol Honda team manager Neil Tuxworth for me. Barry plays a big role in my career and I listen to everything he's got to say. He plays more of an advisory role so we've not got anything official going on, just a helping hand when I need it." Your 18 years old, do you ever think about the life you're leading at this age compared with your school friends ? "I do stay in touch with them but I only see them for about two weeks a year now. Compared to them they probably feel I lead a glamorous life but they probably wouldn't want to do what I do anyway. Racing is all I've ever wanted to do, my friends have jobs as bricklayers, landscapers and so on, I couldn't do that." |