BMW Sauber thrilled for its driver’s home race
The 2010 season has not been a great one for BMW Sauber. The team currently stands at eighth place in the Constructors’ Championship after having earned twenty seven points so far while it is desperately looking for a better finish.
Now, as the Formula One caravan heads for the season's next race in Japan, a sports website talked to the team drivers as well as its technical director probing their fears and aspiration for the upcoming race.
Kamui Kobayashi:
The Japanese driver is more than excited as he goes to his home town for the first time under Formula One umbrella.
The thrilled racer talked about the upcoming round saying, “I am Japanese and therefore, the Suzuka round is my home race. Although, I have not spent too much time in Japan over the last seven years, still I love to go there.”
The last time the driver drove in one of his home races was at the age of 17. In 2009, he went to Tokyo but not for a race rather for a free practice session with Toyota. He was glad to add that he knows the circuit well and has never failed to love it immensely.
He continued that although, the track is quite challenging but he still is pretty much confident that their car will do well in Suzuka.
Kobayashi presently stands at the 12th place in Drivers’ Championship, having bagged a total of 21 points so far. The Japanese Grand Prix will mark his 18th race with the Formula One squad.
Nick Heidfeld:
The other Sauber driver, Nick Heidfeld is also confident to do well next Sunday as last year, he had finished 6th on the Suzuka track.
At the start of 2010 season, the German was unable to get a place in any of the Formula One teams. But at the last race in Singapore, he replaced the Sauber driver, Pedro De La Rosa for rest of the season.
Heidfeld stated, “I am really looking forward to the race in Suzuka. It is my favourite of all Formula One circuits and, on what will be my second race weekend with the team of course I will know a lot more about the car, which should help.”
He further added that Japan has always been his favourite destination and he loves the atmosphere here.
James Key, Technical Director:
Key was happy to exclaim, “It’s great to go to Suzuka, which is Kamui’s home race. It’s a personal favourite of mine as well. I have some fond memories from past events, and the atmosphere there is excellent.”
He maintained that he is sure the team would be cheered immensely as Kobayashi has many fans in his home town. While talking about the venue, he stated that it is a great high speed circuit which serves some challenging fast corners.
He declared the Suzuka track a technical one and said, “It’s a good challenge for the drivers and the engineers to set up the car. I’m hoping it’s a circuit which suits our car better than the recent ones, but you never know until you get there.”
The teams would be having their first expedition on the track on Friday at the practice session, followed by two more practices, one on Friday afternoon while the other on Saturday morning. Qualifying would be seen in the afternoon after the third practice,
followed by the final race day on Sunday.
After a thrilling and awe-inspiring round of Singapore, all the teams are looking forward for another competitive race.
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