Italian GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Lotus

Preview Quotes - Lotus


Romain Grosjean - “I like Monza a lot because it is so distinctive. It’s a great track that has a lot of racing history. This makes it nice for us to compete at a place where all our heroes raced too. There is a lot of atmosphere around the track and to race in the setting of the royal park makes for a really special ambience. Of course the Ferrari fans are a big part of it and it is really nice competing at such a legendary venue.

One of my first ever races in cars was at Monza back in 2003 when I was driving in a category called Formula Lista where I won and then went on to win every race of my rookie season in that formula. I have had some other big results at Monza too throughout my career, so it holds lots of good memories. On paper, Monza should suit our car better than Spa so in theory a podium could be possible again! Of course, we don’t know how our performance relative to our rivals will stack up until we get there, but I’m certainly going out for the strongest result possible, as I always do.

You need your car to be as slippery as possible and quick in a straight line, and in that regard we’ve looked pretty strong so far in 2015. Then we have to manage the tyre degradation. Also for us it will be tricky in the big corners like the Lesmos and the Ascari chicane because the less downforce you have then the more difficult it is to get good grip in the turns. It is a tough compromise but one I am sure that the team will get the best solution possible.

Pizza or pasta? I know a great Pizzeria close to the track, so it is pizza all the way for me. But I am always careful because it can catch up very easily on the weight side of things! Italy is a magic place and the cultural aspects are a big part of that. Like a lot of drivers I did a lot of racing there, even since karting days so I feel like I know the country very well. I don’t know anyone who does not enjoy being in Italy.”

Pastor Maldonado - “I like Monza and I love Italy. I actually used to live very close to the circuit when I was starting my career here in Europe. I have won races here so it holds some good memories and special feelings for sure. I have a lot of friends here and a lot of supporters who come and see me at the track, so it is very nice to catch up with them all. The track is totally unique and of course it is great to be racing where all the old heroes did too. Monza has changed only very slightly over the years and it still has the character of the old banking and the parkland trees as you drive through it and of course the fans create a great atmosphere which is a great soundtrack to the Grand Prix.

I am really looking forward to Monza this year. We’ve shown our car to be pretty good through the speed traps this season and Monza is where you want to be as fast as possible in a straight line. Coming off the back of our performance in Spa it’s going to be really interesting to see how we go; I have a good feeling.

The one word that comes to mind when I hear the word Monza is speed. It has to be speed because the track is all about how fast you can go on the start/finish straight and then also on the back straight too. We are reaching the highest speeds of the season on these stretches. One of the critical points is the Parabolica corner. You have to get this right at the end of your lap to ensure a good time, and if you get it wrong it also compromises you for the next lap. It’s difficult to do this as the car is set up for low down force on the straights, so it’s more difficult to drive on the corners – especially a long corner like Parabolica, which is tough and fast, the most crucial at Monza.”

----
Article Posted By: Amy Hawk
No copyright infringement intended
Quotes belong to Drivers 

Italian GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Red Bull

Preview Quotes - Red Bull


Daniel Ricciardo - “(Monza is) the only circuit where you expect to be driving through flares! We had that on the warm-up last year, massive cloud of red smoke at the second Lesmo. Pretty different – but I like that. The Italian fans are passionate – some might say crazy – and you’ll really get your fill of atmosphere. The drivers’ parade is special: they’ll all be there with their shirts off, yelling ‘Forza Ferrari’. It’s a laugh.

Is it a less challenging race than Spa? It is, because if you need a breather, there’s plenty of long straights where you can take one. Actually that can be a bit of a problem because it really isn’t a circuit where you want to lose focus. You’re coming into very heavy braking zones at very high speed and you can’t afford to lock-up or lose time by braking too early. You have to be very switched on. Since they made the chicane kerbs too high to ride in an F1 car, braking has become the biggest thing at Monza. It’s very tricky to get that right. You’re coming down to the first chicane at your highest speed of the year and braking for what is almost the tightest corner in F1, with the least amount of down force. The car starts to slide around and becomes quite tricky, so getting the braking right is key. It’s really good too...

How do I approach the weekend away from the track? Driving. Motorhome. Pizza. Firstly it’s a nice drive from my home – about two and a half hours from Monaco to Monza. Then I’ll stay in my motorhome – but in town rather than at the circuit. Finally, pizza. Actually the best pizza in the world. I’m not telling you the name of the place that serves the best pizza in the world in case they run out of pizza but they’re in Monza and I’ll be there. Happy days!”

Daniil Kvyat - “Monza is my favourite track. Every corner just gives you the feeling that you are doing something special. Lesmo I and II, Ascari... every corner. Well, they unfortunately changed Parabolica a little bit. The changes there do make a difference. It isn’t quite the same experience anymore. You still have to push a lot and it still requires a lot of technique, but the problem is that even if you make a mistake you get forgiven. It’s not the same. But overall the track is still amazing. An important circuit for me in the past and I love it.

I’ve won there a few times, in Renault 2.0 (Alps in 2012) and in GP3. In Renault I was on pole and won both races and in GP3 I was on pole, won the feature race and finished second in the sprint race. It’s a pretty cool feeling winning there. I lived in Italy for about eight years and I still live very close to Monza, in Lugano in Switzerland. It’s about half an hour drive. I will probably go to Monza on Thursday morning because it’s such a short drive away. But once the racing starts I wouldn’t risk it for the traffic. Anyway, I love Italy, I love being there and for me it’s like a second home.”

----

Article Posted By: Amy Hawk

No copyright infringement intended

Quotes belong to Drivers 

Italian GP: Circuit Preview

(Image belongs to: www.gdecarli.it - All rights belong to the owner)

As we near the next race week in the last half of the 2015 Formula 1 season, the teams will be traveling to Monza, Italy.

    The "Autodromo Nazionale Monza" is one of the oldest circuits on the calendar and also one with the largest capacity. The circuit opened back in September of 1922 and has hosted the race every year except for once. It's capacity is a total of around 113,000. It's 3.600 miles in length and the current version of the circuit has 11 turns and runs clockwise. The race at Monza consists of 53 laps as of currently. 

    Last year, we saw Lewis Hamilton take Pole Position and go on to win the race. Rosberg finished in Second and Felipe Massa in Third. Retirements included Fernando Alonso (Engine) and Max Chilton (Accident) - It was a huge disappointment for the crowd with Fernando out as it was his last year with Ferrari and the Italian fans had been praising him to be on the podium.

Italy always brings an action-filled race, so there's plenty to look forward to.

----

Article Written By: Amy Hawk

No copyright infringement intended

Image belongs to: www.gdecarli.it

    

Italian GP: Schedule

Next up on the Calendar is the Italian GP at Monza. The race may be under threat of losing its spot next year, but with it being a fan favorite, there's hope that it remains in the coming years.

Here is the schedule for the Italian GP Weekend.

SCHEDULE:

September 3rd / Thursday

15:00 - Drivers Press Conference (Located in the Press Room)

September 4th / Friday

08:45 - 09:45 - Paddock Club Pit-Lane Walk
10:00 - 11:30 - Free Practice #1
12:50 - 13:45 - Paddock Club Pit-Lane Walk
14:00 - 15:30 - Free Free Practice #2
16:00 - 17:00 - Press Conference (Located in the Press Room)

September 5th / Saturday

08:30 - 09:15 - Team Pit-Stop Practice
08:30 - 09:35 - Paddock Club Pit-Lane Walk
11:00 - 12:00 - Free Practice #3
13:00 - 13:45 - Paddock Club Pit-Lane Walk
14:00 - Qualifying

September 6th / Sunday

12:25 - 13:15 - Paddock Club Pit-Lane Walk
12:30 - Drivers Track Parade
12:45 - 13:15 - Starting Grid Presentation
13:46 - National Anthem
15:00 - Race Start

(Times subject to change)

----
Article Written By: Amy Hawk
No copyright infringement intended

Feature: Star Drivers Of The Belgian GP

Amy Hawk (Lead Writer & Editor) - "My driver of the weekend is Romain Grosjean. He now has a total of 10 podiums and he's definitely going to be a top-seat contender soon. He did a lot to get that podium and was just passing everyone in the final laps. It was great to see a Lotus back up in the top, especially after the team had quite a rocky start to the season. Grosjean has a lot of talent and I think there will be more to see from him."

Frances Fry (Assistant Writer) - (Quote not yet released)

----
Quotes belong to F1nsider78 & Are available for use with permission - Please visit the contact page

Feature: Belgian GP - Our Post-Race Quotes

Amy Hawk (Lead Writer & Editor) - "The race was fantastic. We definitely enjoyed it. Congratulations to Hamilton, Rosberg & Grosjean. We're also wishing the best to Vivian, (Rosberg's wife), as she and Nico prepare to welcome their first born any day. Of course, it's unfortunate when a driver is unable to start the race and that was the case with Hulkenberg. It was really great to see Checo (Perez) do so well and get a good lot of points for the team. It was quite shocking with what happened to Bottas during his pit-stop and then the accident with Vettel's tyre at the end. Unfortunate for both of them as they could have finished very well. Monza is next though and there's plenty to look forward to. Cheers!"

Frances Fry (Assistant Writer) - (Quote not yet released)

----
Quotes belong to F1Insider78 & Are available for use with permission - Please visit the contact page.

Belgian GP: Race - Re-Cap & Results

The Belgian GP had quite the turnout & It was a spectacular race indeed. The weather threatened a shower towards the end of the race, but luckily, no drop of rain hit the circuit during the event.

    Before the lights went out, there was plenty of drama on the starting grid. Nico Hulkenberg waved his hands back and forth, signaling trouble with his car. During the formation lap, the team had told him to pit and that there was a problem, but ended up deciding he would take the start. However, that did not happen and he retired before he even got a chance to begin. He was not the only one in trouble - Carlos Sainz also had car issues and after being in the garage for quite awhile, the team was able to send him out from pit-lane to start the race.

    The start of the race was a problem for some with the new start procedure. Rosberg had a poor start, leaving Lewis Hamilton up in front to battle with Force India's, Sergio Perez, who moved from 4th to 2nd quickly. With Hulkenberg unable to start the race, it was up to Perez to bring Force India the most points he could.

    Pastor Maldonado was the first to retire due to engine issues. Romain Grosjean, however was playing catch up from where he'd started in 9th after a grid penalty for an unscheduled gearbox change.

    It was not a good day for Williams, especially Bottas, who was the victim of a bad pit-stop. When he came in for a new set of tyres, he got 3 of one and 1 of the other. He was given a drive through penalty for this and it cost him a lot of time and the potential for a podium. Felipe Massa was having trouble staying ahead of quite a few cars.

    Daniel Ricciardo retired next with a Hydraulics issue & the Virtual Safety Car was put into action while they moved his car off the track. This gave drivers a chance to pit without worrying too much. A bit later after this, Toro Rosso retired Carlos Sainz, due to earlier issues with the car.

    Meanwhile, up in front, the battle for the last place on the podium was between Sebastian Vettel & Romain Grosjean. Grosjean had passed Ricciardo and Perez and was coming up on Vettel quickly. With only a few laps to go, it looked like it would be Vettel holding a trophy. However, it was not the case. Vettel's rear right tyre suddenly exploded into bits and he was limping the Ferrari around the circuit. The team told him to pit and it was race over for him. Grosjean then sped around the circuit for the final few laps before coming across the finish line in 3rd. Lotus's first podium since 2013.

    Hamilton brought home the win in Spa and added more points to his lead in the Drivers Championship. However, with plenty of races left this season, the title is still up for grabs for the likes of Rosberg and Vettel. Both Max Verstappen & Sergio Perez proved to be the mid-field heroes of the race with both making phenomenal passes and battling with some of the top drivers. Perez finished 5th and Verstappen 8th & both moved up in the drivers standings.

Both McLaren-Honda drivers finished the race, although there was little to celebrate after both had such hefty grid penalties and a lack of pace throughout the pace. However, things continue to look up for the Woking-based team. Both Button & Alonso continue to be optimistic about the teams progress.

Here are the race results - Next up is the Italian GP at Monza.

RACE RESULTS:

1. Lewis Hamilton / Mercedes-Mercedes / Great Britain / + 25 Points
2. Nico Rosberg / Mercedes-Mercedes / Germany / + 18 Points
3. Romain Grosjean / Lotus-Mercedes / France / + 15 Points
4. Daniil Kvyat / Red Bull-Renault / Russia / + 12 Points
5. Sergio Perez / Force India-Mercedes / Mexico / + 10 Points
6. Felipe Massa / Williams-Mercedes / Brazil / + 8 Points
7. Kimi Raikkonen / Ferrari-Ferrari / Finland / + 6 Points
8. Max Verstappen / Toro Rosso-Renault / Netherlands / + 4 Points
9. Valtteri Bottas / Williams-Mercedes / Finland / + 2 Points
10. Marcus Ericsson / Sauber-Ferrari / Sweden / + 1 Point
11. Felipe Nasr / Sauber-Ferrari / Brazil
12. Sebastian Vettel / Ferrari-Ferrari / Germany / ( RETIRED - Qualified as finished - Tyre)
13. Fernando Alonso / McLaren-Honda / Spain
14. Jenson Button / McLaren-Honda / Great Britain
15. Roberto Merhi / Manor-Ferrari / Spain
16. Will Stevens / Manor-Ferrari / Great Britain

RETIRED - Carlos Sainz / Toro Rosso / Spain / ENGINE
RETIRED - Daniel Ricciardo / Red Bull-Renault / Australia / HYDRAULICS
RETIRED - Pastor Maldonado / Lotus-Mercedes / Venezuela / ENGINE
DID NOT START - Nico Hulkenberg / Force India-Mercedes / Germany / ENGINE

----
Article Written By: Amy Hawk
No copyright infringement intended
Follow us on Twitter @F1Insider78

Belgian GP: Qualifying - Results

After (many) penalties and an intense qualifying, it's Lewis Hamilton who will start on Pole Position for the Belgian GP and here's how the full grid lines up

STARTING GRID:

1. Lewis Hamilton - Mercedes-Mercedes / Great Britain

2. Nico Rosberg - Mercedes-Mercedes / Germany

3. Valtteri Bottas - Williams-Mercedes / Finland

4. Sergio Perez - Force India-Mercedes

5. Daniel Ricciardo - Red Bull-Renault / Australia

6. Felipe Massa - Williams-Mercedes / Brazil

7. Pastor Maldonado - Lotus-Mercedes / Venezuela 

8. Sebastian Vettel - Ferrari-Ferrari / Germany

9. Romain Grosjean* - Lotus-Mercedes / France

10. Carlos Sainz - Toro Rosso-Renault / Spain

11. Nico Hulkenberg - Force India-Mercedes / Germany

12. Daniil Kvyat - Red Bull-Renault / Russia

13. Marcus Ericsson - Sauber-Ferrari / Sweden

14. Felipe Nasr - Sauber-Ferrari / Brazil

15. Will Stevens - Manor-Ferrari / Great Britain

16. Kimi Raikkonen* - Ferrari-Ferrari / Finland

17. Roberto Merhi - Manor-Ferrari / Spain

18. Max Verstappen* - Toro Rosso-Renault / Netherlands

19. Jenson Button* - McLaren-Honda / Great Britain

20. Fernando Alonso* - McLaren-Honda / Spain

PENALTIES:

1. Romain Grosjean = 5-Place-Grid-Penalty for gearbox change

2. Max Verstappen = 10-Place-Grid-Penalty for engine change

3. Kimi Raikkonen = 5-Place-Grid-Penalty for gearbox change

3. Jenson Button = 50-Place-Grid-Penalty for multiple component changes

4. Fernando Alonso = 55-Place-Grid-Penalty for multiple component changes

----

Article Written By: Amy Hawk

No copyright infringement intended

Follow us on Twitter @F1Insider78

Belgian GP: Free Practice 3 - Re-Cap & Results

The last practice session of the Belgian GP weekend is now over & thankfully there were no crashes this time around. However, there were more penalties given out. Romain Grosjean now has a 5-Place-Grid-Penalty for an unscheduled Gearbox change and Max Verstappen is set to get a 10-Place-Grid-Penalty for an Engine change.

Mercedes continued to prove their pace, ending the session with another 1-2, however this time around it was Hamilton who took the #1 spot on the time sheets. Force India is also looking good this weekend, with both drivers finishing the session in the top 10.

Alonso was unable to set any times due to more issues with his McLaren. The team had to replace the exhaust due to a gas leak of sorts & he was forced to sit out the whole session apart from 1 lap.

There was also a slight track modification. The new kerb at the top of Eau Rouge was removed due to driver complaints and concerns. Here are the times from the session.

TIMES:

1. Lewis Hamilton - 1:48.984 / Mercedes-Mercedes
2. Nico Rosberg - 1:49.482 / Mercedes-Mercedes
3. Sebastian Vettel - 1:49.629 / Ferrari-Ferrari
4. Kimi Raikkonen - 1:49.864 / Ferrari-Ferrari
5. Sergio Perez - 1:49.866 / Force India-Mercedes
6. Daniel Ricciardo - 1:49.930 / Red Bull-Renault
7. Daniil Kvyat - 1:49.980 / Red Bull-Renault
8. Nico Hulkenberg - 1:50.000 / Force India-Mercedes
9. Valtteri Bottas - 1:50.179 / Williams-Mercedes
10. Felipe Massa - 1:50.447 / Williams-Mercedes
11. Carlos Sainz - 1:50.552 / Toro Rosso-Renault
12. Pastor Maldonado - 1:50.585 / Lotus-Mercedes
13. Max Verstappen - 1:50.599 / Toro Rosso-Renault
14. Felipe Nasr - 1:50.690 / Sauber-Ferrari
15. Marcus Ericsson - 1:51.054 / Sauber-Ferrari
16. Romain Grosjean - 1:51.187 / Lotus-Mercedes 
17. Jenson Button - 1:51.981 / McLaren-Honda
18. Will Stevens - 1:54.262 / Manor-Ferrari
19. Roberto Merhi - 1:54.281 / Manor-Ferrari
20. Fernando Alonso / No Time Set / McLaren-Honda

----
Article Written By: Amy Hawk
No copyright infringement intended
Follow us on Twitter @F1Insider78 

Belgian GP: Free Practice 2 - Re-Cap & Results

It was an eventful session for some teams, while others breezed through, setting their lap times and giving the team good data for the rest of the weekend.

For Nico Rosberg, things were just not going his way. During FP1, he'd reported a loss of power and missed most of the session. This time around, one of his rear tyres exploded and he slid across the track quite fast before coming to a halt, managing to avoid the barriers. To add to the stress of a race weekend, his wife is due any day with their first child. Sebastian Vettel is expecting baby number 2 in September!

Marcus Ericsson had a crash later in the session, ending up in the barriers. He walked away with no injuries, but the same couldn't be said for the Sauber itself.

Daniil Kvyat and Romain Grosjean were both handed reprimands after the session. Kvyat's for Red Bull's unsafe release in the pits. A scene which almost ended with Kvyat hitting Nasr as he cruised through the pit-lane. The team was also fined 10,000 Euros. Grosjean's was for slowing at turn 18 with Hulkenberg approaching quickly from behind. 

Ferrari was fined 400 Euros for Raikkonen speeding in the pit-lane during the session. But, as for grid penalties... McLaren was given a 55-Grid-Drop between both cars due to use of 7th & 8th components/power elements. While it's impossible for either driver to drop back more than there is grid spaces, they will serve the majority of the penalties differently. During the race, both Alonso & Button face up to 10 seconds being added to their final race time &/or drive through penalties.

Max Verstappen looks to also be receiving a grid penalty for an engine change.

Here are the times from the session:

TIMES:

1. Nico Rosberg - 1:49.385 / Mercedes-Mercedes

2. Lewis Hamilton - 1:49.687 / Mercedes-Mercedes

3. Daniel Ricciardo - 1:50.136 / Red Bull-Renault

4. Daniil Kvyat - 1:50.399 / Red Bull-Renault

5. Kimi Raikkonen - 1:50.461 / Ferrari-Ferrari

6. Nico Hulkenberg - 1:50.461 / Force India-Mercedes

7. Romain Grosjean - 1:50.489 / Lotus-Mercedes

8. Marcus Ericsson - 1:50.709 / Sauber-Ferrari

9. Felipe Nasr - 1:50.928 / Sauber-Ferrari

10. Sebastian Vettel - 1:50.940 / Ferrari-Ferrari

11. Sergio Perez - 1:50.971 / Force India-Mercedes

12. Carlos Sainz - 1:51.037 / Toro Rosso-Renault 

13. Max Verstappen - 1:51.117 / Toro Rosso-Renault 

14. Valtteri Bottas - 1:51.250 / Williams-Mercedes

15. Pastor Maldonado - 1:51.317 / Lotus-Mercedes

16. Felipe Massa - 1:51.588 / Williams-Mercedes

17. Jenson Button - 1:51.854 / McLaren-Honda

18. Fernando Alonso - 1:52.570 / McLaren-Honda

19. Will Stevens - 1:54.065 / Manor-Ferrari

20. Roberto Merhi - 1:54.253 / Manor-Ferrari

----

Article Written By: Amy Hawk

No copyright infringement intended

Follow us on Twitter @F1Insider78

Belgian GP: Free Practice 1 - Re-Cap & Results

With F1's Summer Break now over, it was time for the drivers to take to the track of Spa-Francorchamps for Free Practice 1. Over the last few weeks there has been quite a few headlines revolving around Kimi Raikkonen & Valtteri Bottas. Both were being questioned about who would be with Ferrari in 2016. Would they keep Kimi? Or opt for Bottas? The answer: Ferrari confirmed recently that Kimi Raikkonen is staying with the Italian team next year. While Vettel isn't confirmed, it's more than likely he will partner Raikkonen once again.

The session itself went along quite well apart from one minor crash. Pastor Maldonado lost control of his Lotus and it went sliding into the barriers. With driver unhurt and car back in its garage, the session was resumed.

Nico Rosberg faced car issues and a loss of power in the early part of the session and had only gotten back out right before Maldonado's crash, so his running was limited. Toro Rosso drivers, Sainz and Verstappen both seemed to be losing traction and it was quite a scene when both cars tended to slide around a bit on some of the turns.

Jolyon Palmer drove in place of Grosjean for this session, as the Brit has it in his contract to do 10 FP1 sessions in total this year & according to Grosjean, it seems things will be the same next year, although Lotus has not confirmed neither Maldonado or Grosjean for the 2016 season.

It was another Mercedes 1-2 with Rosberg leading the time sheets & Here are the times from the session -

TIMES:

1. Nico Rosberg - 1:51.082 / Mercedes-Mercedes
2. Lewis Hamilton - 1:51.324 / Mercedes-Mercedes
3. Daniel Ricciardo - 1:51.373 / Red Bull-Renault
4. Kimi Raikkonen - 1:51.478 / Ferrari-Ferrari
5. Sebastian Vettel - 1:51.866 / Ferrari-Ferrari
6. Daniil Kvyat - 1:51.960 / Red Bull-Renault
7. Max Verstappen - 1:52.158 / Toro Rosso-Renault
8. Carlos Sainz - 1:52.421 / Toro Rosso-Renault
9. Sergio Perez - 1:52.423 / Force India-Mercedes
10. Valtteri Bottas - 1:52.511 / Williams-Mercedes
11. Pastor Maldonado - 1:52.539 / Lotus-Mercedes
12. Nico Hulkenberg - 1:52.614 / Force India-Mercedes
13. Felipe Nasr - 1:52.640 / Sauber-Ferrari
14. Felipe Massa - 1:52.653 / Williams-Mercedes
15. Marcus Ericsson - 1:53.426 / Sauber-Ferrari
16. Fernando Alonso - 1:53.502 / McLaren-Honda
17. Jolyon Palmer* - 1:53.799 / Lotus-Mercedes
18. Jenson Button - 1:54.225 / McLaren-Honda
19. Will Stevens - 1:55.501 / Manor-Ferrari
20. Roberto Merhi - 1:56.086 / Manor-Ferrari

* - Driving in this session only.

----
Article Written By: Amy Hawk
No copyright infringement intended
Follows us on Twitter @F1Insider78 

Belgian GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Manor

Preview Quotes - Manor/Marussia

Will Stevens - “It was nice for me and the rest of the team to have a good long break, but I think we are all ready to get back into the racing now. I had a lot of fun catching up with friends and family, and every now and then you do need a reboot, but at the same time it was important to maintain my physical training regime as this next phase of the season can be quite arduous, particularly the long hauls. I’m feeling really positive about the work that lies ahead, as it will be a combination of maximising our current package for this year and development for 2016. It’s good to get that underway at Spa, one of my favourite racetracks and a really great challenge for car and driver.”

Roberto Merhi - “It’s good to be back after the holidays and to get back to racing here at Spa, which is definitely my favourite circuit. I won my first Formula race here in 2007, in Formula Renault. Not only is it a very demanding circuit, and a real test of skill, but you also have other factors in the mix, like the weather, which can be really tricky as it is very changeable. Prior to the break, I felt that things were really starting to come together for me a little more and I was much more confident with the car. I hope to pick up where I left off and have a really positive second half of the season for me and the team.”

----

Article Posted By: Amy Hawk

No copyright infringement intended

Quotes belong to Drivers 

Belgian GP: Driver Preview Quotes - McLaren

Preview Quotes - McLaren


Fernando Alonso - "It feels great to be back. I enjoyed a relaxing break over the summer shutdown, but I also trained hard and I feel in the best shape to start the second half of the year. After Hungary, we were all really encouraged by the outcome; although we were fortunate to have had some good luck, we still battled hard and finished the race with a positive result.

Spa will be tricky for us, due to the configuration of a track that requires power, down force and a big chunk of the lap spent at full throttle. But, from a driver's perspective it's a spectacular circuit and the fans there also make it a truly special place. It's a place at which I won when I was in Formula 3000, but never in Formula One. I've enjoyed some really exciting battles there, and I'm looking forward to this weekend for some more. The next few races will be important for us: we need to continue our forward momentum, and, with the addition of some tweaks to the car and power unit, we will be looking for more progress and good correlation between the simulator and our on-track performance. That might not necessarily appear above the surface in either Spa or Monza, but we'll keep pushing development forward at each race."

Jenson Button - "What a place to resume the second half of the season! It's such a great place to come to after the break - Spa is a circuit I've always loved right from the start of my racing career, and every lap around this incredibly special circuit is still hugely exciting and puts a massive grin on my face. It's genuinely a circuit like no other.

I'm really looking forward to getting back into the car and seeing where we stand among our nearest competitors. We can't pretend that we're expecting a huge jump forward in performance - especially at this circuit, as it doesn't suit our car's characteristics - but, after the break, I'm feeling refreshed, positive, and ready to continue the solid progress we've made so far.
I love Spa, I won there back in 2012, and, even when I'm not battling for the lead, I really enjoy the racing there as it usually produces fantastic Grands Prix. It's a privilege as a Formula One driver to be able to go to the circuit in the morning, get in the car, and race through some of the most legendary corners in motorsport."


----
Article Posted By: Amy Hawk
No copyright infringement intended
Quotes belong to Drivers 

Belgian GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Williams

Preview Quotes - Williams


Valtteri Bottas - “Spa is one of my favourite circuits. The feeling of Eau Rouge in a Formula One car is hard to explain and certainly unique, it’s just incredible. The layout is normally strongly suited to the characteristics of our car as well, so I head to this weekend looking for a strong result. I was on the podium last year, so we are looking to achieve a similar result. The weather always plays a part throughout the weekend so we have to be alert as it can change so fast.”

Felipe Massa - "Spa is the most enjoyable circuit for many of the drivers and it’s definitely my favourite. It’s always good to have a strong result at the circuits you enjoy driving. The weather can sometimes surprise us so we will need to be on the ball when it comes to strategic decision making. The layout suits the strengths of our car so we’re looking to start the second half of the season in a strong position.”

----
Article Posted By: Amy Hawk
No copyright infringement intended
Quotes belong to Drivers 

Belgian GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Toro Rosso

Preview Quotes - Toro Rosso


Max Verstappen - “The Hungaroring was clearly a good track for us from a performance and point-scoring point of view. Spa will be much harder as it doesn't suit our car that well, but we will make sure we work hard to achieve the best result possible. The P4 in Hungary definitely gives us all extra motivation! I raced (at Spa) last year during my F3 season and we won all three races that weekend, it felt great! So hopefully we can score some more points and continue with our good performances in Spa! It's such an amazing track to drive, it's unique! It has some very challenging and fun corners, like Eau Rouge, and the home crowd just make it even more special. I am really looking forward to the weekend ahead.”

Carlos Sainz - “After Hungary, we are one step closer to our target of finishing fifth in the championship. We are all working flat-out together and this is a very good sign! We will need a kind of race like the one we had in Hungary to be able to be competitive in Spa. Well, hey, maybe not exactly 100 percent the same. We know we'd be strong in sector two if we could run all the down force we have, but the problem is that the straights in sectors one and three are so long, that we will have to take all that down force off to be competitive. So we are hoping for some rain, that's for sure!

Anyway, we will do our best to extract the maximum out of the car whatever the conditions are and try and do what we did in Canada; it was a solid weekend even if we didn't have a competitive package. In the Renault World Series last year in Spa I won back-to-back races in a very solid way and it really consolidated my championship chances as well as my position within the Red Bull Junior Team. It will be emotional to go back there! The good memories will definitely give us a lot of energy and I will try and perform at the same level as I did there last year.

There's no doubt it's my favourite track together with Silverstone, I really, really like it for so many reasons, it's difficult to pick just one! Also, the fact of doing well there makes you like the circuit even more. I especially enjoy all the downhill section from the big long hairpin to Pouhon, the right-left at the end of sector two. It's just a really exceptional track."

----

Article Posted By: Amy Hawk

No copyright infringement intended

Quotes belong to Drivers 

Belgian GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Mercedes

Preview Quotes - Mercedes


Lewis Hamilton - “It's been good to take a break from racing and spend some time relaxing, training and recharging the batteries. But, of course, there's always that flame in the back of your mind that just wants to get back out there and get on it - especially after a race like Hungary. Spa is a great track to kick off the second part of the season too. It's one of the really great, old-school circuits with so much history. It's mostly medium to high speed corners, so you're pretty much pedal to the metal the whole way round which is a lot of fun. It's always special to come out on top at a classic race like this so I remember winning here well. I love this track and I'll be gunning for that top spot again.”

Nico Rosberg - “The summer break is a great chance for the team to recharge after a tough start to the year and they definitely deserve it for all the hard work in making the incredible car we've had so far this season. But for me, personally, it's time I'd rather be spending in the car! Hungary was a big disappointment and I've been itching to get back to racing ever since. When you're in such a close battle for the Championship, any opportunity to gain points is crucial and it's up to me to take those chances - but also to make them for myself. That's definitely the target for the second half of the year. We're only halfway through the season, so it's all still to play for. Spa is a fantastic circuit - a track that I think every driver enjoys and one that always produces spectacular racing. I'm looking forward to it.”

----
Article Posted By: Amy Hawk
No copyright infringement intended
Quotes belong to Drivers 

Belgian GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Force India

Preview Quotes - Force India


Nico Hulkenberg - “The summer break was very relaxing for me. My schedule has been extra busy this year so it was nice to stay at home for a few weeks and just switch off and relax. Even though it’s only been a month since the last race, you miss being in the car and the buzz of racing, so I’m definitely ready to begin the second half of the season.

Spa is a favourite for all the drivers. When I think of driving there it just makes me smile because it’s got so many special high-speed corners - the corners you want to experience in a Formula One car. You’ve also got the history of the place and the unpredictable weather which often helps spice up the racing. We go there hoping to bounce back from a tough race in Hungary. The improvements we’ve made to the car will really help us in Spa, especially through the high-speed corners. The engine also plays a big part around the lap. We are competitive and I am confident we can start the second part of the season strongly.”

Sergio Perez - “The break was a good opportunity to recharge my batteries and spend some time at home with my family. The calendar is pretty busy and we don't often get the chance to have some time for ourselves. However, I am really looking forward to getting back behind the wheel and doing what I really love.

Spa is an amazing track and I enjoy racing there. The first sector and the run through Eau Rouge feel very special in a Formula One car and it’s definitely a highlight of the year. The track can also produce really good racing because there are a few corners where you have a good chance to overtake. I think the characteristics of the track and its emphasis on power and top speed should suit our car. You also have to expect wet weather at some point during the weekend so it could be quite unpredictable. We have shown some good pace in the last few races and we should be in a position to get a good result.”

----
Article Posted By: Amy Hawk
No copyright infringement intended
Quotes belong to Drivers 

Belgian GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Sauber

Preview Quotes - Sauber


Marcus Ericsson - “I am really looking forward to driving at Spa-Francorchamps in general and Eau Rouge, Blanchimont and Pouhon in particular. This traditional Grand Prix weekend at this historic track is purely about racing, and the fans are really into our sport and passionate about it. The atmosphere is great there. In comparison to other circuits, the track is quite long with some interesting corners and long straights. Engine power is the crucial factor, which fits well with our engine update. It’s one of those tracks which is like an adventure, it goes up and downhill. Always an important aspect of Spa is the weather. You never know what is going to happen, one part of the track can be wet and the other can be dry. This is also what makes Spa so special.”

Felipe Nasr - “Spa is my favourite circuit on the calendar. The track is unique, having a lot of high-speed corners and a great corner combination. As a driver you get a nice flow going through these corner combinations. It is a track on which you need a stable car in the high-speed corners. I would say the combination of low down force and traction is essential to be competitive. Going through Eau Rouge flat out will be tricky and, for sure, a challenge. It will be my first time driving this circuit in a Formula One car. We do have our engine update there, but, as we haven’t run it yet, we don’t know what it is going to be like. We are all looking forward to it and hope this will be a benefit for us.”

----
Article Posted By: Amy Hawk
No copyright infringement intended
Quotes belong to Drivers 

Belgian GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Red Bull

Preview Quotes - Red Bull

Daniel Ricciardo - “When I was a kid I played the racing games quite a bit and Spa was always the track I played - it was my favourite - and when I got to drive there for real, every bit was as good as I thought it would be. My first race was in Formula Renault 2.0 and I can still picture the first lap, thinking ‘wow’ as I went through Eau Rouge.

To win the Grand Prix last year was really, really cool. It was pretty tough to drive. We ran really low downforce, pretty much Monza-spec. It made it tricky: tail-y but fun. Trying to keep up the rhythm when the car is moving around is not always easy - but I think it was the best package we had for the weekend. When Spa’s sunny, it’s great. A proper old-school Grand Prix for the real racing enthusiast. Great atmosphere, great fans, great beer and definitely the place to come if you like the frites. Only drawback is that it’ll be 30 degrees C with blue skies one minute and hosing down the next.”

Daniil Kvyat - “Spa is one of my favourite tracks of the year. I think that’s a bit of cliche but I think it’s a favourite for all the drivers. It’s really long, really challenging, there are some proper fast sections and some properly balls-out corners. At Spa, more than anywhere, you feel that you’re really driving an F1 car.

With these cars Eau Rouge is back to being a bit of a balls-out corner - especially in the wet. Pouhon is pretty much and Blanchimont still, but really only in the wet. It’s full of great, flowing, interesting sections. There’s great history (at Spa-Francorchamps); the atmosphere is amazing. To be honest it’s quite hard to put into words. I like the weather. It always feels like one of the freshest weekends of the year, if that doesn’t sound strange, but it’s cold at night, and the mist and everything adds to the atmosphere. It’s a great circuit and I think it brings out the true fans and that’s quite special.”

----

Article Posted By: Amy Hawk

No copyright infringement intended

Quotes belong to Drivers 

Belgian GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Lotus

Preview Quotes - Lotus

Romain Grosjean - “What a fabulous race circuit! Spa as we all know is one of the best tracks we go to, if not the best of them all. As a driver it is like a dream circuit with elevation change, quick corners, medium-speed technical corners and some good straights for overtaking. It’s a circuit with a soul. I always enjoy racing here, as do most of the drivers. What I find memorable about Spa is not only the track but also the beautiful surroundings in the Ardennes forest. From the cockpit you get a very real sense of being at a living, breathing track at Spa and the fans are really close to the action. You can almost smell the frites! It’s a great track as there’s so much to think about over a lap. That’s true if you’re on a qualifying lap trying to maximise your speed at every point, or in a race where you’re either defending or attacking, and maybe both over the course of a lap. It’s the type of place where the differences between cars can be highlighted and sometimes you see a car go really well here - let’s hope that’s our car this season!

You need good grunt from the engine and a well set-up and forgiving car. We can definitely deliver on both those counts so it’s going to be interesting to see how we fare against our rivals. You also need an element of luck sometimes as the weather in the Ardennes can present a challenge. It’s almost a cliche to talk about the possibility of rain on one part of the track when it’s dry on another, but this can happen. If it happens during qualifying, it’s a massive challenge to make the right call with timing for your lap. If it happens during the race, then the call of when to pit and change your tyres for wet weather ones or back to slicks has a massive impact as it’s a long, long, long lap if you’re at Spa on the wrong rubber.

I won in the GP2 Series in 2008 which was a fabulous feeling and I’ve certainly missed the Spa podium since then. I’ve always had good pace but my best result in F1 so far there is P8. I don’t see why we can’t improve on that this year. I think the circuit could well play to some of the strengths we have in the car and I’m certainly ready for more points. Me and the team will be doing everything we can to go well and get the strongest result possible, after all that’s what we’re here to do!”

Pastor Maldonado - “Where do you start with Spa? It is an amazing circuit and for sure one of the best on the planet. The sensations a driver experiences at corners like the Eau Rouge / Radillon combination, Pouhon and Blanchimont are not like you feel anywhere else in the world. It is unique in every way and to think you are competing on parts of the track that were used back in the first Grand Prix season in 1950 makes it very special indeed. Every track has its own challenges. For Spa, it’s a long lap and this can present some set-up challenges. You want low drag for the straights but decent down force for the corners. This is the same at any track, but with the longer lap at Spa the different requirements are highlighted. Sometimes the best set-up for the fastest lap is not necessarily the best in a race. It’s easier to overtake on the straights, so a car fast here, but maybe relatively slower in the corners could be the preferred race set-up. This year we have a car we know to be very quick in a straight line, so this could help us. Then, of course, you never know if you’re going to get rain at Spa, and when it comes, it can come very quickly. There’s always something to keep you on your toes at Spa.

Spa is the type of track where you get great memories whenever or whatever you are racing. But of course the ones that really stick in the mind are the victories and I am lucky that I have won here a few times. I first raced at Spa in 2004 in Formula Renault. In 2006 I won in World Series by Renault at Spa, taking pole, fastest lap and the victory. Then in 2008 I won in the GP2 Series for the first time. Then I took another win in my championship year in 2010 which was a sweet moment. In Formula One I qualified sixth in 2012. So all in all I have great memories of the track and feel that I have a special relationship with it going back many years.”

----
Article Posted By: Amy Hawk
No copyright infringement intended
Quotes belong to Drivers 

Belgian GP: Circuit Preview

(Image belongs to: thejudge13.com - All rights belong to the owner)

As the teams prepare to head to Belgium for the next race, it's time to go ahead and take a look at the iconic circuit.

"Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps" is located in Francorchamps, Stavelot, Belgium and is one of the oldest circuit, dating back to its opening in 1922. It's also one of the longest circuits with a distance of 4.352 miles. Because of it's length, the F1 race only runs for 44 laps. 

The circuit has 20 turns, runs clockwise and has a capacity of 70,000. Weather can also be quite unpredictable & Very often can be cloudy with rain. Humidity is also usually quite high.

In 2014, it was Nico Rosberg who started on Pole Position, but the Mercedes driver was unable to win. Instead, it was Daniel Ricciardo who held the 1st Place trophy high. Rosberg ended up finishing 2nd while Williams driver, Bottas, finished 3rd.

Retirements included: Pastor Maldonado (Exhaust), Andre Lotterer (Electronics), Romain Grosjean (Power Unit), Lewis Hamilton (Collision Damage) & Jules Bianchi (Gearbox - Qualified As Finished) 

----

Article Written By: Amy Hawk

No copyright infringement intended

Follow us on Twitter @F1Insider78

Belgian GP: Schedule

With Summer Break nearly over, the teams prepare for the next stop on the F1 calendar - Belgium! Continuing the European portion of the season, Spa is one of the most iconic and oldest tracks on the current calendar and is home to many other motorsport events, including the 24 Hours Of Spa.

Here's the schedule for the upcoming F1 week.

SCHEDULE: 

August 20th / Thursday

15:00 - Drivers Press Conference (Located in the Press Room)

August 21st / Friday

08:45 - 09:45 - Paddock Club Pit-Lane Walk
10:00 - 11:30 - Free Practice #1
12:50 - 13:45 - Paddock Club Pit-Lane Walk
14:00 - 15:30 - Free Practice #2
16:00 - 17:00 - Press Conference (Located in the Press Room)

August 22nd / Saturday

08:30 - 09:15 - Team Pit-Stop Practice
08:30 - 09:35 - Paddock Club Pit-Lane Walk
11:00 - 12:00 - Free Practice #3
13:00 - 13:45 - Paddock Club Pit-Lane Walk
14:00 - 15:00 - Qualifying

August 23rd / Sunday

12:25 - 13:15 - Paddock Club Pit-Lane Walk
12:30 - Drivers Track Parade
12:45 - 13:15 - Starting Grid Presentation
13:46 - National Anthem
14:00 - Race Start

(Times subject to change)

----
Article Written By: Amy Hawk
No copyright infringement intended
Follow us on Twitter @F1Insider78

Feature: Star Drivers Of The Hungarian GP

Amy Hawk (Lead Writer & Editor) - "My driver of the weekend is Sebastian Vettel. Not mainly because he won, but because of how he won. He didn't have an easy time making it across the finish line first. There were plenty of obstacles, but he really proved that he's helping Ferrari climb to the top this year and it's also great to see Vettel having a good time on the team and still enjoying the sport.

From the beginning of the race, you could tell he wasn't going to let this one slip away. He fought every lap to take the win & there were so many moments where it looked like someone else would catch up. Then there's always that horrible chance that there could be a bad pit-stop or a mechanical issue. But.. In the end, he did it and it was incredible."

----
Quote belongs to F1Insider78 & Is available for use with permission - Please visit the contact page.

Follow us on Twitter @F1Insider78

Feature: Hungarian GP - Our Post-Race Quotes

Amy Hawk (Lead writer & Editor) - "It's been quite a rough time with the sad news of Bianchi's passing and it definitely made for a tough race weekend. Everyone raced for him for sure. The whole community really came together in his honour.

As for the race itself, it was everything anyone could have asked for in a race. From the moment it started, I knew things were going to be interesting. To see the Mercedes not have their usual pace was interesting. A huge congrats to Vettel, Kvyat and Ricciardo. Definitely a special moment for Kvyat, being it was his first F1 podium. Also quite lovely to see everyone dedicating their points/race to Jules. 

Now is the Summer Break before the crew heads to Spa, (In Belgium), and it will be the last half of the season. Time to make these last races count. So much to fight for.

Cheers."

----

Quote belongs to F1Insider78 and is available for use with permission. Please visit the contact page

We're also on Twitter: @F1Insider78