Chat Transcript
CBS SportsLine.com
April 5, 2001

Fittipaldi won the Marlboro 500 in Fontana to end the 2000 CART season. (Newman/Haas Racing)

CART driver Christian Fittipaldi slowed down to take your questions about the 2001 CART season.

Driving for Newman/Hass Racing, Fittipaldi is in his seventh year in CART. He is looking to start where he left off last year where he won the season finale Marlboro 500 in Fontana. By winning the race, he won $1 million dollars.

Fittipaldi drives the No. 11 Kmart Toyota/Lola and has two career wins, Fontana and Road America in 1999. He has 95 CART starts, 14 podium finishes and over $4 million in earnings.

Fittipaldi is also devoted to his website. He posts audio clips, personal photos race day photos and much more. To learn more about Christian, visit his website www.fittipaldionline.com.

Christian Fittipaldi: Hi everyone! I am very happy to be with you guys and hopefully we are on for a really enjoyable 30 minutes! Question #400 has been proposed and automatically accepted.

Question: I missed the Monterrey Grand Prix and read you only completed 66 laps due to mechanical problems. What happened?

Christian Fittipaldi: Actually I had a small problem in the throttle. That made me run wide in the corner and I hit the wall. I didn't finish the race because of that. It was one of my worst weekends with the race team and we basically struggled all three days. I am happy to have that behind me.

Question: From what I read you like the track at Long Beach. Why?

Christian Fittipaldi: I think of all the street courses we go to, this is pretty interesting. Especially from 1998 onward when they added an extra 4 or 5 corners to the track. Plus it is one of the nicest races on our calendar.

Question: I hope you are doing well! My name is Heather Parker, I am not sure if you remember me but I met you a few times last year...I was wondering how your car is doing this weekend. Good Luck, and SEE YOU later this year!! Probably at Milwaukee and Road America

Christian Fittipaldi: Hi Heather! I do remember you perfectly! If you come to Road America you will probably meet my mother again! The car is doing great and look out for the new colors on the car. It isn't black anymore but I won't tell you!

Question: As a driver, what part of the car are you hardest on? Anything that your crew gets tired of you breaking or wearing out?

Christian Fittipaldi: I think I am the hardest on the gearbox. Before I broke my leg, I was a right foot breaker. That messed up my gearbox a lot! After I broke my leg I was forced into breaking with my left foot. And naturally I took care of my gearboxes a lot more. Because the timing on the downshift was much better.

Question: Has the Lola been performing better on the street and road courses?

Christian Fittipaldi: The only place where I do think the Lola has an advantage is on the ovals, especially the quick ones. Apart from that, I think it is pretty equal everywhere else.

Question: What do you think of Toyota's announcement to supply engines to the IRL?

Christian Fittipaldi: Very interesting. Don't have a lot of inside scoop yet to give a better opinion about it.

Question: There's a lot of speculation about a new engine formula. What kind of engine would you like to see in your car if you could choose the new formula?

Christian Fittipaldi: I think it is really in the early stages. Too early to say anything. The only thing I am sure of is that from 2003 onward, engine regulations for our series is completely different. So I think, based on that, IRL and CART are going to try and work together and hopefully make the series merge.

Question: It's been 2 months.. how's married life?

Christian Fittipaldi: I know it is still very early, but I am very happy.

Question: Do you get annoyed with fans that ask for photos and autographs over and over?

Christian Fittipaldi: I think it is part of the job. But there are some situations, especially when you have had a very long day -- and a bad one, that it can be sort of difficult.

Question: How hands-on are you with fittipaldionline.com?

Christian Fittipaldi: Believe it or not? A LOT! Actually, we improved it from last year and we have a couple of new sections added to the site this year. If you are curious, log on to fittipaldionline.com

Question: Christian....do you have any nicknames? Also, where did you get the idea for the logo on the website, the "alien" on the website?

Christian Fittipaldi: Yeah. I have a couple nicknames. Autna is one. Actually a friend of mine, a painter, developed the logo and came up with the idea. I really like it and I use the little alien everywhere.

Question: Have you ever checked out fan CART sites like 7thgear or Speedcenter?

Christian Fittipaldi: Oh yeah! I have, but not all the time. But I have been there.

Question: Hi Christian - it's Tammy from Hawaii - how's married life been treating you, how's your race strategy for this weekend besides being up front and I hope you enjoyed the Hawaiian goodies! GOOD LUCK!!!

Christian Fittipaldi: Thank you Tammy! Married life is treating me very well. As far as strategy I guess you said it all -- run wide open!

Question: What has given the Ganassi team such a lock on the winners circle lately?

Christian Fittipaldi: Well, it wasn't like this in the 2000 series. They had a couple of good years until 1999. It was even from 2000 on. It goes in cycles. You have good years and bad ones.

Question: Christian What is your opinion about Michael and various CART driver's running the Indy 500? Would this be a future goal for you?

Christian Fittipaldi: I think it is going to be really possible being there next year. But with the rules the way they are, you basically need to set up a completely different team to go participate only in one race.

Question: What did you think of Juan Montoya's performance in Brazil last Sunday?

Christian Fittipaldi: Absolutely excellent! I was happy for him until he dropped out of the race, but he did an awesome job.

Question: What is it like having someone like Paul Newman as your team owner?

Christian Fittipaldi: It is great! He is a real down-to-earth guy. Even better because he understands about motor racing in general! It is very enjoyable to talk to him.

Question: Will you be with Newman-Haas next year?

Christian Fittipaldi: We'll see. It is too early to say. But I think so.

Question: Do you still have legos? ;-)

Christian Fittipaldi: hahah! No. Not nowadays, but I played with them a lot in my early years.

Question: Do you ever think about doing the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona?

Christian Fittipaldi: I would run there if an interesting opportunity appeared. Then I would definitely do it.

Question: Do you think this CART/IRL thing needs to be settled so the open wheel racers can start to get back some of the attention that's been lost to NASCAR?

Christian Fittipaldi: I agree perfectly with you, stirling. Not only for that reason, but also for the fact that we're not racing in Indianapolis. And I guess everyone is losing because of that.

Question: Would you like to run an IROC car or a stock car sometime?

Christian Fittipaldi: At the moment I don't have a lot of desire.

Question: Who would you say are the top three drivers of all time?

Christian Fittipaldi: Senna.. Schumacher...and Sangio.

Question: Christian - I know Cristiano and you are good friends - how has having him as a partner been working out? Still biking a lot together?

Christian Fittipaldi: Oh yeah we are! The problem is he is always in Brazil! But when he is in Miami we bike together and also with Tony.

Question: Is there anyplace you haven't visited yet, that you would like to?

Christian Fittipaldi: I have a curiosity to go to Alaska. And believe it or not, to Mount Everest!

Question: What do you do with all of your trophy's?

Christian Fittipaldi: I keep them at home. I just put them around. Two or three in the dining room, some in the office, some in the TV room. I keep them spread out. These are the ones I got here in America.

Question: What other circuits do you think would be good for CART... Watkins Glen, Road Atlanta?

Christian Fittipaldi: I think, really, we should try to target as many street courses as possible. In the big centers or cities.

Question: Do you have any personal goals for this season?

Christian Fittipaldi: Oh yeah! Try to win! That is very easy!

Christian Fittipaldi: Thanks everyone for being part of this chat. And for those that didn't have an opportunity to talk on the chat, log on to fittipaldionline.com. Goodnight!