Japanese Grand Prix - Preview
BACK TO THE FU-TURE
Panasonic Toyota Racing is heading for home ground this weekend
with the Japanese Grand Prix at Fuji Speedway. Indeed, the
Japanese Grand Prix itself is also heading home as Fuji Speedway
was the host of the first Formula 1 World Championship race
in Japan back in 1976. The 4.563km circuit, on the banks of
Mount Fuji, has undergone a complete revamp in recent years
and is now one of the most advanced in the world, although
the impressive 1.475km start-finish has been retained and
remains its most striking feature. The long straight brings
a set-up challenge as engineers must find the perfect compromise
for a high top speed on the straight and good grip in the
twisty sections. Ralf Schumacher and Jarno Trulli will have
an updated TF107 available, with aerodynamic and suspension
upgrades, and, with plenty of enthusiastic Toyota fans expected,
the whole team is highly motivated to record a strong result.
Ralf Schumacher (Car 11): “I remember
the old Fuji circuit from my time racing in Formula Nippon
in Japan and I always enjoyed racing there. One of the most
impressive things about Fuji Speedway is the location, with
Mount Fuji in the background. The track itself is also very
impressive, especially now the facilities have been improved.
It is now one of the most modern in Formula 1 but they have
kept a lot of the character of the old track, with the very
long main straight. It is going to be a challenge to set the
car up because with such a long straight you certainly need
top speed but on the other hand the infield is quite twisty
so you want downforce there. Personally, it is great to be
going to a different circuit, even if I loved racing at Suzuka,
and I am looking forward to the challenge. The entire team
is pushing really hard to get the best possible result this
weekend.”
Jarno Trulli (Car 12): “I am really
looking forward to the Japanese Grand Prix. It is the first
time Formula 1 has raced at Fuji for 30 years, and of course
it is a home circuit, so we want to have a strong weekend
and get back in the points. The two most obvious features
of Fuji Speedway are the long straight and the scenery because,
with the mountains behind, it is very beautiful. I drove on
the circuit in 2005 just after it was completed but I only
did a few laps as a demonstration and the track was very dusty.
It is an interesting circuit to drive and the facilities have
been completely rebuilt so they are great. It’s hard
to say too much about the track because it is new for all
the teams but looking at the first corner, it is at the end
of the long straight and quite wide so that should be a good
overtaking opportunity. I am expecting a really special atmosphere
for our home race and I hope we can deliver a good result.”
Pascal Vasselon – Senior General Manager Chassis:
“I have been to Fuji Speedway many times and I have
good memories of the track. It is certainly a good track to
race on and overtaking should be possible, so we can expect
to see an exciting race. The long straight and the tight first
corner should be a real overtaking opportunity. Since Fuji
has been upgraded it is now of the very highest standard but
it still retains a lot of the character of the original circuit,
with the long straight and slow infield. In terms of car set-up,
this calls for an obvious compromise and this will be the
main challenge this weekend. We will have our last major upgrade
of the season for the Japanese Grand Prix, with quite a lot
of new aerodynamic parts, which we tested at Jerez last week.
This is Toyota’s home race so our target clearly has
to be to score points and I am confident we can achieve this.”
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