Belgian Grand Prix - Preview
BRINGING BACK THE SPA-RKLE
After a disappointing Italian Grand Prix at Monza, Panasonic
Toyota Racing heads to another historic venue for the Belgian
Grand Prix this weekend. Spa-Francorchamps is back on the
Formula 1 calendar after a one-year absence while improvements
were carried out to the track and the infrastructure. Ralf
Schumacher and Jarno Trulli had the chance to sample the resurfaced
track and the revised Bus Stop chicane when the team tested
at Spa in July in preparation for this weekend’s race.
Following the high-speed, low-downforce demands of Monza,
the team returns to a more standard aerodynamic package this
weekend to cope with the undulating, challenging Spa circuit,
which at 7.004kms is the longest in Formula 1. The Belgian
Grand Prix marks the final European race of the season so
Toyota is looking to score a strong result before the long
trip east to Fuji Speedway for the Japanese Grand Prix.
Ralf Schumacher (Car 11): “Spa is
another circuit close to the team’s factory in Cologne,
Germany so it is special for that reason. But it is also special
as a track because it is unique in Formula 1, with some really
impressive and challenging corners. The weather always plays
its part as the Belgian Ardennes seem to have a climate all
their own. Even when the rain comes it can be limited just
to certain parts of the circuit. We had another difficult
weekend in Italy but obviously we will use a very different
aero package for Spa compared to Monza – the track has
similar characteristics to Silverstone, where we were quick.
We tested at Spa in July and we made good progress so we are
hopeful of a strong result. Our first target is always to
qualify in the top 10 with both cars and then we hope to score
points from there.“
Jarno Trulli (Car 12): “Spa is the
best circuit in the world so I am really pleased it is back
on the calendar. The changes to the track have taken a lot
of effort but the results are good, especially the improvements
to the Bus Stop chicane. Spa is still one of the hardest tracks
in the world – a real challenge for the driver because
it is very technical and very long. It is hard to find the
limit at Spa as you really have to focus throughout the whole
lap. You never know quite what the weather will throw at you
but I have usually gone well in Belgium and I hope that is
true again this weekend. We are coming towards the end of
the season and the Japanese Grand Prix is next so it would
be great to score more points before Toyota’s home race
at Fuji Speedway. I am optimistic because the team is working
very hard.”
Pascal Vasselon – Senior General Manager Chassis:
“Spa is a unique racing environment. Motorsport culture
is deeply ingrained there, the circuit is central to the economical
and social life of the area and you can feel the enthusiasm
of the fans. From a technical perspective, what makes it so
special is the combination of a very high average speed, a
lot of corners and elevation changes. It is challenging for
the drivers, who like the blend of such high speed corners
and the changes of elevation. It’s also a demanding
circuit from the car design point of view and many of the
highest loads that we face during the season come at corners
like Eau Rouge and Blanchimont. Unusually, the teams tested
at the circuit in July to prepare for this weekend’s
race. Before going to Spa you always spend time on wet race
strategies and the transition between wet and dry conditions.
We saw all types of weather that week, which was representative
of the wide range of conditions that we can expect to face.
The drivers felt comfortable and competitive at the test so
we should arrive in Belgium well prepared.”
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