FIA Press Conference, Canadian Grand Prix (Thursday) – See some of the drivers facing the media in the press conference ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix.
The drivers in the FIA Press Conference are:
– Marcus Ericsson (Sauber F1)
– Sergio Perez (Force India F1)
– Felipe Massa (Williams F1)
– Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull F1)
– Jenson Button (McLaren)
– Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari)
Daniel, let’s start with you. Our 2014 Canadian Grand Prix winner of course. You didn’t want to hear what the team had to say after the last race in Monaco so how have the conversations gone since and how have you personally got over the disappointment?
“Yeah, I gave it a few days to cool off. I definitely felt after the race that I wasn’t in a place, probably no one was in a place to try and resolve what happened.“
“For me, I just needed to get away for a few days and then address what happened once we’d all cooled down and settled. So I spoke to various people in the team and they basically explained what happened at the time and how to make sure it doesn’t happen again.“
With the Renault engine upgrade, as well as the nature of the Red Bull chassis and of this circuit layout in Montreal, is there a realistic expectation that you can bounce back with this weekend with a win?
Daniel Ricciardo: “In my mind there is. That would obviously be a lovely way to bounce back. Let’s see, I think realistically, Mercedes are still going to be the ones to beat.“
“I expect that we can be the next best of I hope that we can be the next best. Ferrari have been there and surprised us sometime and then been less surprising on other occasions.”
“You never know but I do believe we’ll be the next one in line behind the Mercedes and how far we’re behind Mercedes – I’m not sure but hopefully close enough to again, put some pressure on them and grab a win!“
Marcus, coming onto you – a little bit of ice hockey this week with Valtteri Bottas. Who’s the more aggressive on the ice, you or him?
Marcus Ericsson: “Most aggressive? I don’t know but obviously Sweden and Finland have a big rivalry in ice hockey and it was a fun event. He was very good on the ice, I have to say.“
Do you and the team just have to accept that as Sauber isn’t really racing any other team, you’re going to be racing each other like this, week in and week out?
Marcus Ericsson: “No, it shouldn’t be like that of course. It happened in Monaco and we all spoke about it, discussed what happened and cleared the air about it.“
“We had different opinions but it’s all done and settled now and we are looking forward to Montreal together as a team.“
Felipe, coming to you. You’ve scored points in four of the last five Canadian Grand Prix and you’re the only driver this season to have scored points in every round/ You’ve also been ahead of your team mate 60% of the time. How satisfied can you be with that?
Felipe Massa: “Well, satisfied when you score one point is not really the right answer.“
“ I really hope we can score more than what we’re doing. You always want more. It’s on the consistent side in terms of scoring points but we need to work to get a little bit more than one point like we did in Monaco and getting close to the top five in every race. That’s what we want to do and that’s what we’re working for.“
Kimi, coming to you. Three podiums from the opening six rounds is your best start to the season since 2013. Do you and the team feel you have fallen behind the Red Bull rather than closed in on Mercedes?
Kimi Raikkonen: “I wouldn’t say it like that. We know what we’ve done and we’re definitely more strong in the car than other areas we were last year.“
“Maybe the results haven’t showed it exactly but it’s not been the easiest of best start for us as a team but we know that as long as we do our stuff and keep working, it will all pay off.“
“As I say, it’s not been what we’re looking for exactly but the package has improved and we’re working on that all the time. “
“Obviously you always look for better results and wins putting the two cars up there but so far it’s been tricky but we are more or less there.“
Jenson, coming to you – a former winner of this race. Two other podiums here in Montreal and 15 appearances at this track. Tell us, what makes this place special for you and what’s the best way to drive it?
Jenson Button: “Wow, what makes it special? I think it’s always your history that makes a place special isn’t it.“
“First time to every circuit, it’s nice but it’s the history and your experiences there that make a place special. 2011 was very special. You know me, I’m a trouper and it’s all about fighting through and never giving up. So it’s always those experiences that make an event for me.“
“You need a car that’s good on braking and a car that’s efficient. I suppose every circuit is the same but those are specifically important areas.“
“It’s having the confidence to use the kerbs here and carry speed when the weather is like this, making the right calls.“
Sergio, onto you – a fantastic podium last time out in Monaco. Your sixth in Formula one. You scored one here back in 2012. Is there a sense of optimism that you can continue this strong run?
Sergio Perez: ” Well, Monaco was a very special race and under certain conditions to get into the points.“
“Everything worked perfectly for us, wit the strategy, with the called and everything that we did in Monaco so it was a race under very special conditions.“
“We are expecting something similar here for Sunday but you never know. I think we are making good progress and we are getting better and better with every race.“
More to come soon ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix! 🙂
The Formula 1 Girl
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