Japanese GP - Renault - PreviewHeikki Kovalainen continued his streak of points finishes last time out at Spa Francorchamps, using a one-stop strategy to finish in eighth position. While Kovalainen was in the points for the sixth straight race, team-mate
Giancarlo Fisichella
had a weekend to forget retiring on lap one. Heading to Fuji, Fisichella is aiming to end his point’s draught which dates back to Silverstone.
Heikki, the car looked pretty quick in Spa, you scored points for the sixth race in a row – and yet you came away disappointed. Why?
"Simply because the car was clearly quicker than we managed to show in the race. I fought for every lap and didn’t miss any opportunities, but we could have done better than eighth. But there were positives to take the from the weekend, primarily that our pure pace seemed to have improved. That’s why I’m feeling optimistic for the final three races, and particularly Japan, which is a new circuit for most of the drivers.
You will not be racing in Suzuka, which was a favourite of the drivers, but at Fuji. Are you disappointed?
"No, times change, Formula 1 changes, and that’s part of life. Like Monza and Spa, Suzuka was a really challenging circuit, for the drivers and the car. This year’s race, though, is at Fuji, which is a track I already know a little bit about after doing a promotional event for our partners here last year.
I think it will make for good racing, which will be good for all the Japanese supporters, who are always really enthusiastic about Formula 1!"
You are quite well-known in Japan, with some loyal supporters who have been following you for several years…
"Yes, it’s amazing. The Japanese fans are without a doubt the best of the whole season: very enthusiastic, always kind, and they will wait for hours to see you at the hotel or the circuit. Even last year when I wasn’t a race driver, I was amazed by how many people recognised me or stopped me for autographs. It really puts you in a good mood, and makes you want to race well for them."
What can you tell us about the circuit, as you are one of the few people to have driven here…
"The circuit includes a long straight of around 1.5 km, and I think that the aero level will be a very important thing to calculate well. There are also some sequences of medium- and slow-speed corners, particularly the last five corners which are all in second gear. So we will be working hard to find the right aero compromise, and also to get good mechanical grip in the slow sections. In terms of overtaking opportunities, turn 1 is probably the most obvious one, with a lot of passing. I am really looking forward to racing there!"
Giancarlo, you seemed out of luck in Belgium – an engine change and retirement first lap retirement…
"There isn’t much to say about the weekend to be honest. It was a complicated weekend, and it was made more frustrating by the fact that the car was working well. My concentration is now on the final three races, where I am looking to have some good battles and score more points."
The Japanese Grand Prix has moved to Fuji – are you looking forward to racing on this new circuit?
"Yes, I think it is always interesting for the teams and drivers when you go to a new place, and a new circuit. It breaks up the routine from year to year when things change around. And for the drivers and also the engineers, I think it makes our job a bit more interesting. To be honest, this isn’t my first time in Fuji because I raced there back in 1993 in F3 – but the circuit has changed a lot since then. That means I will have plenty of work to do learning the track."
How do you approach a race at a track you have never driven before?
"We have our traditional circuit walk with the engineers early in the weekend, where we talk about the driving line, the braking points and the gear ratios. After that, the best thing is to do a few laps on a motorbike or scooter to get some visual reference points and try to understand the flow of the circuit. That will be what I focus on at the start of the week."
Is the Japanese Grand Prix a race you enjoy?
"Yes, I really do. Japan is a country I like in general, and I have always had a fun time racing here. I have been on the podium both times I have raced for Renault in Japan, and I am hoping for another good race at Fuji this year."
Source Renault
