Brazilian Grand Prix Preview
The 2016 Formula 1 season is nearing it’s end and with the World Championship fight still going on, we’re taking a look to see what the teams have to say before the Brazilian Grand Prix race this weekend.
Sahara Force India – Brazilian Grand Prix Preview
Vijay Mallya – “Our strong showing in Mexico proved how competitive we are at the moment and this gives us further encouragement for this weekend’s race in Sao Paulo.”
“We’ve had some good memories here in the past years and it’s a circuit that has staged some special races – often being helped by the weather.”
“It’s a very important weekend for us as we reach crunch time in our battle for fourth place. With two races to go and a nine-point advantage, every point becomes potentially decisive. We need to be at the top of our game to ensure we can finish the job we have done so well all year round.”
Sergio Perez
“Brazil shares a lot with Mexico, the people, the culture and the food – there’s so much that Sao Paulo can offer!”
“The track is very complex to master and has some tricky corners. It’s one of the few anti-clockwise layouts which makes it harder from a physical point of view, especially for the neck.”
“Races at Interlagos always tend to be special, you have things playing a big role whether it’s the weather or something else. It’s a very short lap, it almost feels like driving a kart circuit with a Formula One car and because the laps are so short, you can easily lose a lot of positions with a small mistake.”
“You cannot race in Brazil without thinking about Senna, he is a legend and for the most of us in F1 his presence is everywhere, you can feel it at the circuit.”
Nico Hulkenberg
“I have lots of great memories from Brazil – it’s where I got a pole position in my debut year in 2010 and where I had one of my best days in 2012. That was a very special race, leading for 40 laps and in mixed conditions too!”
“It was so exciting from the lights, it was dry and then it started to drizzle and some people stopped for the intermediate tyres but I stayed out and took a risk – which worked. Such a special experience and one of the best performances to date.”
“I feel really happy to be back in Sao Paulo, I love the food and I think that feeling at ease somewhere plays a big part in performing well so I’m looking forward to this weekend.”
“There’s a lot of history at Interlagos and it’s an enjoyable track to drive. My highlight is the second sector, it’s twisty and technical. The Senna Esses are an interesting corner combination as well – you can easily ruin a lap here.”
“The weather changes quick here in Sao Paulo, the clouds come up to the track and all of a sudden hits us which makes for some crazy racing which is something I quite enjoy!”
RedBull Racing – Brazilian Grand Prix Preview
Max Verstappen
“I like the track in Brazil, it’s a really special layout with quite a bit of height elevation. It’s an anti-clockwise track which always adds to the challenge and makes things a bit more fun.”
“The track is quite a technical layout too, like many of the circuits we race – this has a lot of history and great moments over the years.”
“It’s strange to think we are heading to Abu Dhabi in just a few weeks but I’m looking forward to finishing the year on a high and building towards an even stronger 2017.”
Daniel Ricciardo
“The atmosphere is always great at the track in Brazil and I think it will be even more so this year with it being Felipe Massa’s last race too.”
“This is one place where you don’t want to be Felipe Massa’s team-mate as you get so much abuse on the drivers parade – it’s hilarious! I think Bottas is really going to be in for it this year.”
“The lap overall is quite short one but it’s definitely grown on me in the past couple of years – it’s an overwhelming place and as it’s nearing the end of the season, I’ve found a couple of nice places for the team to go and have big dinners as it’s a sociable race week.”
McLaren – Brazilian Grand Prix Preview
Fernando Alonso
“I think all the drivers enjoy racing at Interlagos, it’s a especial place!”
“For such a short lap, the track has a great flow – from the moment you cross the start to the finish line, you plunge into the esses and then sweep down into the bottom of the venue’s natural bowl.”
“Even with a couple of hairpins, it doesn’t really feel like any of the corners interrupt the flow around here and at the end of each lap – you want to attack the lap again.”
“The crowd seems to loom over you – it’s very in your face and you feel very close. It’s intense. After a disappointing weekend in Mexico, I think we’ll be looking to bounce back and our aim is to make the most of practice and qualifying to give ourselves the best chance of maintaining a better position during the race this weekend.”
Jenson Button
“I’m really excited about this weekend. There’s been some absolutely classic Formula One races in Brazil and it’s always a good climax toward the end of the season so I hope we can have a better result than we did in Mexico.”
“There’s only two races left to go so I’m sure we’ll be doing all we can and giving it our all for the awesome fans – we’ll go out there and show everyone a great weekend of racing.”
“The Interlagos circuit has a bit of – how can I put it? – ‘muscle?’ – It’s a place that you really attack and it’s really enjoyable to drive. It’s great – even the hairpins require attacking style and you can take lots of kerb and there’s no run-off at the exits – that’s how a racetrack should be really.”
Williams Brazilian Grand Prix Preview
Valtteri Bottas
“First of all, I think this is going to be such a cool race for Felipe as he’s retiring and it’s going to be his last home race.”
“I really hope we can do well there and that he enjoys the weekend. Last year we did, we picked up some decent points.”
“The track has a nice combination of different types of corners on the track and it’s quite technical – the new tarmac that was laid there a couple of years ago has made it very grippy since, so it’s a track that I really enjoy racing at.”
Felipe Massa
“Interlagos is home. It’s the place I grew up and this will be an emotional race for me, racing there for the last time – such an amazing track.”
“I’m looking forward to enjoying every single lap and hopefully I can manage to finish the race with a good result. I have won twice at Interlagos and have finished on the podium many times over the years – I hope we can get another one but it definitely won’t be easy.”
“I will do everything I can for my people, for Brazil – this is my last race at home.”
More to follow.
The Formula 1 Girl 🙂
xx