Adrian Sutil Q&A: 'I'm really looking forward to this
race'
Having competed in the European GP at the Nurburgring in
2007 Adrian Sutil will this year enjoy his first experience
of driving in a German GP at Hockenheim, the event he regards
as his real home race.
We asked him for his thoughts on Hockenheim and the season
so far.
Q: How do you feel about racing at Hockenheim and
your first German GP?
'Actually it was the first track I ever saw. When I was 12
we went to Aachen, where some of my family lives, and we passed
through Hockenheim. It was right when I was starting in karting.
I asked my mother to stop there, and I went up to the stand.
I was sitting there watching for half an hour, no cars running,
nothing at all! At this time the long straights were still
there, going into the forests. I was thinking one time I want
to drive here, it's the goal in my life. It was such a special
feeling when I was sitting there, just dreaming.'
Q. How often have you raced at Hockenheim?
'I've been there with many different cars and had many races
there, so it's really a home race for me. I did Formula Ford,
Formula BMW, F3, even the Beetle Cup as a guest starter! So
going there in an F1 car will be really nice.'
Q: What kind of success have you had there?
'Good success! I always had some of my strongest races in
Hockenheim. I had a few wins there and always when I finished
I was on the podium. So I have really good memories. I'm really
looking forward to this race, because it's one of my favourite
circuits.'
Q: Have you ever actually been to the German GP?
'In 2006, when I was a test driver, I couldn't go because
I was in Japan. But I was there in 2005, watching from the
stands, which was really nice.'
Q: So you didn't actually go into the paddock that
year?
'No, I just came with my girlfriend. We were sitting in the
stadium, at the Sachs corner, and it was really, really cool.
It was a great atmosphere, I really loved being in the stands
with the crowd like that. Schumi was really quick in this
race. It was all red in the stands, for sure!'
Q: So when you drive round on the race weekend you'll
know what it's like for the fans...
'Exactly! It's such a special feeling when you're sitting
there, it's incredible. The sound and the speed of the cars
is fascinating.'
Q: What about the circuit itself?
'It's a great track. I never drove on the old version, although
I did do the short track in 2002. The first corner was still
the old one then, but I didn't do the long straights. The
new version is a really nice circuit. The first corner is
a really challenging and quick corner, and then you have the
long straight down to the tight hairpin, which is really slow,
but good for overtaking. Then you come into the best sector
on the track, into the stadium. It's a nice right hander and
you can feel the atmosphere, you can feel the people sitting
there. The double right hander onto the start/finish line
is a special corner, really difficult. I think if you have
lots of experience on this track you can gain a little bit
at this corner. Now, having driven it in an F1 car it's even
more impressive. It's so quick, it's amazing.'
Q: Do you think the German fans are paying more attention
to you now?
'I hope so. Especially after Monaco I got more fans, I think.
We'll see in Hockenheim. The longer you are in F1, the bigger
your name gets. It's just the normal way.'
Q: We are already half way through the season. What's
your overall feeling about how it's gone so far?
'Actually over the last few races, from my performance point
of view, I can be quite happy. I've just been very unlucky!
Monaco was very unlucky for sure, and also before that we
had some good first laps, and then had mechanical problems.
We've had too many zero scores in the first nine races. I
think only three times I've seen the chequered flag, and it's
not enough.'
Q: You didn't finish in Monaco, but do you think your
performance there did your reputation a lot of good?
'It was similar to last year, when Monaco helped me quite
a lot. After the season that was the only thing people could
remember of Adrian Sutil was that he was in P1 in Monaco practice.
I think it was even more effective this year with this race.
In Monaco it seems like I'm always good for a little show
there! It was nice to take this chance. There will maybe be
a few more chances this year, and we have to make sure to
take these chances.'
Q: Are you hoping for rain in places like Spa, Fuji
and Shanghai?
'Spa was very good last year in the dry! Some rain and good
strategies will help, for sure, but we have to perform in
all conditions. We are not able to race in the midfield at
the moment, and we have to improve our car. I think the last
update is worth about two or three tenths. The car feels quite
good, and there is a lot more potential in the new parts.
But we have to hope for more rain, although this year there's
been quite a lot already! It's sometimes hard, because when
it's wet you have to take a chance, and when it doesn't work
out, the disappointment is quite big.'
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