Chinese Grand Prix Preview
In advance of this week's Chinese Grand Prix, the Etihad
Aldar Spyker Formula One Team has conducted Q&As with
drivers Sakon Yamamoto and Adrian Sutil.
Adrian Sutil
You finally scored your first point - what does it mean for
you?
It was very important for our team. I have to say we deserved
it. We already got a lot of motivation after Spa, and now
we have been successful here and got our first point.
What was the race like for you?
The conditions were very special, so I think even to finish
the race was a very successful result. This was the main thing,
don't make mistakes, go through to the end, and then we'll
see what's going on. But we also had some times where we were
very competitive.
You seemed to be able to pass other drivers with
relative ease.
Yes, especially in the restarts. They were taking it so easy,
and I passed at least four cars in braking for Turn One. I
braked maybe 100 metres later than everybody, but I was fighting,
and always the first three laps after the restart our set-up
was very strong.
Overall, did you enjoy being back in Japan after
a year away?
Yes, it was a nice weekend, and I really enjoyed driving here
in Japan. It's always something special, the people are very
nice, and the fans are very polite. The track is one of my
favourites and very, very nice to drive. To get a point was
also the best feeling. I now really want to get going in China
and get some more!
Sakon Yamamoto
In the Japanese Grand Prix you were 12th, your best-ever
finish in Formula 1. How was the race for you?
It was a very tough race for me as the conditions were very
difficult in the wet and visibility was bad, but I was really
pleased at the end to get the best finish of my career. It
was a really amazing feeling. The reaction from the fans was
very good too.
You've now finished in four of the five races for
Spyker, 80% of your starts: a good statistic. Do you feel
more comfortable with the team and the car?
Yes, I am very happy with the team and the new B-spec car.
The team is very easy to work with and the new car is much
improved over the A-spec. Every time we go to a new circuit
we see an improvement and I can't wait to drive the car again
in China. Now we have got 12th place in the last race I want
to do even better and get a higher finish in the last two
races.
This will be your second Chinese Grand Prix. What
do you remember of the 2006 event?
The race last year was the first time I had finished a race
in F1. It was a busy race though as there was heavy rain that
then dried so it was difficult to get the calls right. I had
to stop several times to change tyres and one time we changed
to dry tyres too early so I then had to stop again! It was
a complicated race, but I liked the track. It's completely
different to other circuits, some corners are difficult to
get right, but I do enjoy driving here.
What will your aims be for this race?
Again I want to have a good race. We had a good result in
Japan, but now I want to be even stronger going into the last
two events of the year in China and Brazil.
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