SAF1 TEAM 2007 ITALIAN GRAND PRIX PREVIEW
An Interview with Graham Taylor, Sporting Director
Qu: Graham, heading into the last set of European
races for the 2007 season, what is the atmosphere like at
the team?
GT: As is well known the atmosphere within our team is fantastic.
We are enjoying our successes this year, but we are still
learning all the time. SUPER AGURI F1 TEAM approaches each
event with total concentration and commitment, certainly we
are less gun-ho than last year, but we still carry that element
of fun. Anthony is showing more performance during the race
weekends now and his pairing with Taku is excellent in cementing
the team and forging its natural development.
Qu: Do you think that you will be able to maintain
your current eighth position Constructors’ Championship
standing until the end of the season?
GT: Statistically we should be able to and we all hope so.
The current formula necessitates total reliability and, as
the number of cars finishing in Turkey showed, all the teams
are committed to this. Therefore without extra-ordinary influences
points for the teams at our performance level are a rare commodity.
However, as a young team we are developing all the time and
finding speed along the way.
Qu: Now that we have completed 12 races, have your
views changed on the use of a single tyre supplier in Formula
One?
GT: I believe that the single tyre supplier has drawn the
front of the gird closer to the rear. We often witness twelve
to fourteen cars covered by just one second and although this
makes it incredibly tough, it does give occasion for the smaller
teams to compete properly. What we would all like to see is
a great difference between the two compounds supplied at the
race weekend. Presently, at some tracks, it is difficult to
differentiate between the tyres apart from the white stripe.
The information and support currently procured by Bridgestone
Potenza has been excellent and SUPER AGURI F1 TEAM enjoys
a full and honest relationship with their Japanese supplier.
Qu: We have not seen any new developments on the
SA07 for a while, can we expect any in Monza?
GT: The nature of the Monza circuit now sits alone within
the Championship. With its long straights the focus for the
teams is low drag and automatically the Aerodynamic package
is developed for Monza singularly. This means we will see
new parts on the car at this race. Unfortunately the weather
at the pre-race test was not conducive to allow a huge amount
of data gathering, but we will endeavour to maximise our abilities.
Qu: In your opinion, what makes the race at the Autodromo
Nationale di Monza so special?
GT: The atmosphere within the circuit is just fantastic.
Whenever you enter the Park you instinctively know that you
are at a historic and important racing place. The noise of
the cars at high revs passing the pits is simply glorious.
The annoying part of the Grand Prix is the traffic into and
out of the circuit, but it is only right and proper that F1
cars still race at the classic circuits.
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