Formula One: Renault heads for the German Grand Prix in high spirits
The upcoming German Grand Prix is much anticipated by the teams as well as the fans of Formula One. It marks the start of the second half of the season as ten races have already gone and this eleventh round of the 2010 Formula One Championship is hoped to bring more drama and excitement to an already nail biting and nerve tingling season.
The German Grand Prix is scheduled to take place at the 4.574 kilometres long track at Hockenheim, which hosted the last Formula One race in the year 2008. The track encompasses seventeen corners and serves an amalgam of long straights and slow corners, which have never failed to fascinate the drivers, as well as the race lovers. Before heading for the race, the Renault Team discusses their plans as well as the expectations for the weekend with the Formula One official website.
The team driver, Robert Kubica, who started the 2008 race at seventh place on the grid and finished it at seventh place as well, said that he feels thrilled and excited as he heads there for the race this year. He commented that the track is a beautiful one with mixed corners. He was thrilled as he added that there are a couple of very high-speed corners, at the first and twelfth turn, while the rest are low or medium-speed turns.
The track had always been particularly appreciated for its very smooth surface, but to tackle that, one needs to get the maximum mechanical grip out of the car. It also envelops a long straight, where one gets the opportunity to run at the top speed, while enjoying the most competitive part of the race.
However, the Renault driver proclaimed with concern that the cars the team is using have F-duct system, and this makes it a little harder for the driver, as they would need to reduce down force in order to be competitive on top speed, which on the other hand could be dangerous at the corners.
Anyhow, he concluded that he was looking forward for Friday’s practice, with much anticipation, as that would be able to help them make the final strategy for the race day.
The other team driver, Vitaly Petrov, who had not raced on this track with Formula One before, said that though it was his first experience with F1, however he knows the track very well, as he had already raced there with GP2. He accepted the fact that the track is a tough one and one need to be very careful and tactical, while driving there, as it is usually very close racing on this circuit. He added that it does offer some overtake opportunities, like the hairpin that reaches at the end of the long back straight patch.
However, he said that he feels optimistic, as he thinks that the track would be a good one for their car. Moreover, he revealed the team’s strategy for the race saying that they would try to do their best at the qualifying, as the outcome of the final day depends on it.
Overall, the teams seemed pleased and hopeful for the race. The main target of the team would be stepping one step forward at the Constructors’ Championship, as they currently stand at fifth place with a total of eighty nine points, one place behind Mercedes GP, which has one hundred and twenty six points so far.
The two team drivers, Robert Kubica and Vitaly Petrov also seem to have high morale as they move forward for the next destination of the Formula One caravan. Well, there is only one more day to go and the action would unfold amidst all the fervour and enthusiasm of the German hosts.
Tags: