Williams are expecting yet another strong performance at this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix, following on from their relative competitiveness at the Singapore Grand Prix last time out. Although both drivers failed to finish the Singapore race, the team was encouraged by their qualifying and race performances.
As the Formula 1 fraternity heads to the famous Suzuka circuit, the Grove-based outfit are targeting another strong race weekend. After Pastor Maldonado and Bruno Senna both retired from the Singapore Grand Prix due to mechanical issues, Williams are hopeful that those reliability issues do not return throughout the remaining races. Like many of the drivers up and down the grid, both Pastor Maldonado and Bruno Senna rate the Suzuka circuit as one of their favorites, and can’t wait for the track action to start.
“I’m really looking forward to getting to Japan this week.” Explained Pastor Maldonado, “I think everyone in the paddock looks forward to this race, as the fans in Japan are some of the best in the world and give us all such a warm welcome. I also enjoy the track as it’s one of the historic circuits in Formula One. There is a good combination of high speed corners and we run close to the maximum amount of downforce. It’s a great challenge as a driver.”
Bruno Senna is equally positive with regards to the Suzuka circuit, a track which saw his uncle, Ayrton Senna, carry out some of F1’s most iconic moments including two controversial collisions with arch-rival Alain Prost. Bruno Senna, however, likens the Suzuka circuit to that of Spa-Francorchamps, another legendary circuit revered by many within the paddock.
“I’m really looking forward to the Japanese Grand Prix.” Enthused Bruno Senna, “It’s one of my favorite tracks of the season and it’s very fast and flowing but quite narrow compared to some of the other circuits we visit. It is similar to Spa-Francorchamps so it’s a real drivers’ track. You can get variable weather in Japan ranging from warm and sunny to rain that stops qualifying. It’s always exciting though and we have a good potential to be strong there.”
With Pastor Maldonado still yet to score a single World Championship point since his win back in May, and Bruno Senna striving to enjoy an incident-free race weekend, Williams are most certainly aiming for further points at the Japanese Grand Prix. However, with the unforgiving characteristics of the Suzuka circuit, the Japanese Grand Prix weekend will be tough for all the drivers up and down the grid.
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