Winton Podium For Team Fujitsu's Jose Fernandez
27/4/2004 2:43 (Press Release) -
Team Fujitsu's Jose Fernandez has taken his very first V8 Supercar podium, at Winton Raceway today. Fernandez wasn't told until he'd crossed the finish line that he had placed third.
"I cried in the car when they told me I'd finished third," Jose Fernandez said.
"I could not believe it, I didn't want to know where I'd finished 'till I crossed the line, when they told me to keep driving to the podium, I said you are kidding.
"It's an amazing moment, unbelievable, if you don't expect it and you are told you are third, it's beyond belief.
"I thought I might have finished fourth or fifth, it's excellent, I'll take it with both hands."
Fernandez attributed his success this weekend to a steady as she goes mentality and consistency.
"I aim to qualify in the top-ten so that I can mingle with the fast guys, but it makes it a hell of a lot easier racing up the front," Fernandez said.
"It's about consistency and being patient. The biggest thing that I've learnt is to go out on track with my thinking cap on.
"I don't want to start out as a kamikaze and go out too hard and jeopardize my spot, I wanted to sit back and take the points. I go out to try as hard as I can but you've got to be smart about it."
It wasn't all smooth sailing for Fernandez who had a battle on his hands to earn a place on the podium.
"I was brought into the pits twice in the second race, which was difficult.
"Each time I had to come in I was in the top-ten, so I had to battle my way through the traffic again. So I worked hard for my podium, I think we deserve it."
For fellow Fujitsu driver Owen Kelly the day had it's ups and downs.
Kelly won the second race, a reverse grid race, from 22nd on the grid.
Starting the third and final race on the front row and minutes before the green light, Kelly's car was being towed back to the pits with radiator problems.
Team mechanics tried to get the Fujitsu Ford back onto the track but they ran out of time.
"There was a ten centimetre slice through the side of the radiator, it was brand new in Adelaide so it shouldn't have happened, it is frustrating," Owen Kelly said.
"I could rant and rave about this but it achieves nothing, I'll just put it behind me and focus on the remaining rounds.
"The championship is not over yet, there are three rounds left and plenty of points. As we saw out there today anything can happen."
The Konica Minolta V8 Supercar Series continues at Eastern Creek Raceway on May 28-30.
Release Date: 19/04/2004
Team Fujitsu (Dick Johnson Racing)
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