Italian GP: Driver Preview Quotes

ASTON MARTIN RED BULL RACING

Daniel Ricciardo - “Monza is full of crazy Italian fans. I love them all and it’s nice to get a bit of extra love from them with my Italian roots. Monza has the best pizzeria in the world, but I’m not going to tell you the name as I still want to be able to go there without queuing out of the door! The track is beautiful, high speed and awesome. I’ve done some of my best overtaking moves there and I plan on doing plenty more this week as it looks likely that I will be taking some engine penalties. It’s obviously not ideal but Monza is a power track and one that we haven’t been hugely strong at in recent years, it does mean plenty of action and fun for me in the race though. Last year I finished fourth from 16th on the grid, so it won’t be boring if I have to do the same again this year. The drivers’ parade in Monza is really special, the atmosphere is electric and the fans are definitely some of the most passionate in the world.”

Max Verstappen - “Monza is fast, very fast. This makes it great fun but at the same time not ideal for us and our car. It is an old school track, one of the few left, so racing somewhere with such history is quite special and I always look forward to going back there. The highlights of the circuit for me are the last chicane, Ascari, and the final corner, Curva Parabolica. To nail the last corner is not easy but when you do it feels really nice. I have been to Milan a few times but only for business so I haven’t had the chance to look around, but it goes without saying that the food is some of the best. The Italian fans will be out in force as always supporting Ferrari, they are very passionate and really good to see. Hopefully the orange crowd will rival the red this year.”

RENAULT SPORT FORMULA ONE TEAM

Nico Hulkenberg - "In terms of the actual track, it’s obviously very high-speed throughout; it’s called the Temple of Speed for a reason! It means a low-down force setting on the car to suit high, straight line speed. Low down force can mean the car feels light and uncomfortable, and that’s something we’ll be adjusting to in the Friday practice sessions."

Carlos Sainz - "The Italian Grand Prix weekend is always an enjoyable one. My birthday falls over that weekend – this year it’s the Saturday – so I’ll be targeting a good birthday present in qualifying! I might excuse myself and have a pizza at some point over the weekend, but we’re here to race and the nice Italian food will have to be put on hold."

RED BULL TORO ROSSO HONDA

Pierre Gasly  - “I got to Italy at the start of the week, visiting the Toro Rosso factory and I can’t wait to arrive in Monza, even if it is likely to be a complicated weekend for us. Spa was also meant to be a difficult weekend, but by fighting hard we managed to make the most of every opportunity to finish in the points again. I have good memories of the Monza track as I was on pole for my last two races there, even if it’s going to be a whole new challenge this year in a Formula 1 car.

    It will be something new to experience the top speeds in an F1 car at what is the fastest track of the year: the engineers tell me that with DRS and slipstreaming we should be doing over 360 km/h. It’s going to be an incredible feeling rushing down the straights and then coming to the very heavy braking areas. You really have a sensation of speed and that’s one of the things that make this circuit special. We will have a low down force aero package compared to normal and that means we will be sliding a bit more, which is fine, as the key at Monza is to be fast down the straights. You spend almost 80% of the lap flat out so it’s important not to lose speed through the chicanes, which means doing a good job of riding the kerbs and then having good traction out of the corners. I’m looking forward to our last race of the year in Europe and hope we can go well at what is the home race for our team, with so many of them coming from the factory to the circuit to support us over the weekend.” 

Brendon Hartley - “I’ve had some success at Monza in the past, I won a race there in Formula Renault 2.0 on my way to the European Championship, I had podium finishes there in Formula 3 and I remember testing there in LMP1 but we never raced. Monza has huge history, which means you can feel a special atmosphere as soon as you get there, and I’m really looking forward to driving a Formula 1 car there for the first time.

    Monza is famous for the speeds you reach and, as a Formula 1 driver, you definitely become numb over time to these speeds, because we are going that quick a lot of the time. Damping and suspension are so good now that the cars are quite stable, which also makes the high speeds less obvious. But I think that at Monza, the Ascari Chicane, the Parabolica and hitting the brakes at more than 350kph is going to be a great experience, running with as low down force as we can get away with, given that all the teams bring a Monza-specific aero package. So, the cars will be different to drive for everyone. Maybe it will create even better racing actually, because we have less down force to lose when we’re following other cars and slipstreaming them. Usually, we have so much down force and grip, all the corrections we’re doing, the amount of sliding, is not always visible to the spectators, even if it feels like a lot when you are in the car. So, at a track like Monza with lower down force, I guess those issues are more obvious.

    Braking distances will be longer with less down force, which creates more overtaking opportunities, especially as it’s easier to lock the front brakes. I guess in a way it will be a little bit more challenging for us and it will be enjoyable for sure. Racecraft is always at play there and the weather can also sometimes be a factor. It’s a track I’m looking forward to. It’s going to be a home race for us at Toro Rosso and so I’m expecting to see many Tricolore flags amongst the other ones.” 

ALFA ROMEO SAUBER F1 TEAM

Marcus Ericsson - “The race in Monza is always a very special one, and one of the most historic Grands Prix on the calendar. There are usually many fans there, giving the weekend a unique atmosphere. The track itself is different from most of the others, with the low downforce levels making it tricky but fun to drive. There are good opportunities for overtaking, which is quite a different challenge to most other races of the year. Apart from that, it will be an important race for our team because it is our Title Sponsor’s home race. I look forward to meeting many Alfa Romeo fans throughout the weekend, and we will do everything we can to give them a good show.”

Charles Leclerc - “It is good to be back on track straight after Spa, as we can move on from the retirement in the last race and look forward to racing again. Monza is going to be a special destination for the whole team as ambassadors of the iconic Italian brand, Alfa Romeo. It will be like a home race for us. It is also special for me to race in Italy, as I have always had close ties to the country – first racing in karts there during my childhood, and later being part of the Ferrari Driver Academy. I can’t wait to be there and meet all the Italian fans. The track is an iconic one and should be a good challenge – I look forward to racing there.”

WILLIAMS MARTINI RACING

Lance Stroll - “Last year, Monza was a big turning point in my career, it really impacted on it. I have incredible memories of my front-row start and I will remember it forever. Qualifying was crazy in the rain, but I took to it like a fish to water! The atmosphere there is incredible and the passion of the tifosi is amazing. You can't ignore the history of the place and the importance of Ferrari. I am really looking forward to getting back there.”

Sergey Sirotkin - “I have very good memories racing at Monza, as I raced there a lot in my junior categories. I like the spirit of the track and the challenges that the high-speed, low-down force corners create for the drivers. The track will throw some challenges at the car which will be nice to evaluate. It’s the last European race so we will have to enjoy it as much as we can.”

RACING POINT FORCE INDIA FORMULA ONE TEAM

Sergio Perez - “I’m feeling really positive after such a strong weekend in Spa. The points we scored are very important and our performance across the entire weekend shows what a great group of people we have in this team. The car was quick and I was happy with our race pace. I think we came away with our maximum result all things considered.

    I’m really motivated for the final eight races as well. I know we have new parts coming to the car and there is a feeling of excitement in the team. It’s going to be interesting to see how competitive we can be in Monza and whether we can continue with the speed we showed in Spa.

    Monza is always special and I love the old-school track. It’s high-speed and narrow, and it’s important that we keep coming back to these classic circuits. I’ve had good results in Monza in the past and I just love the energy and passion of the crowd. It’s always a really special race.”

Esteban Ocon - “I spent a lot of time in Italy when I was younger and I just love the country. I made a lot of friends so it’s always nice to see everybody again. Racing in Monza is something special because you can feel the huge love the locals have for motorsport. The atmosphere from the Tifosi is incredible – for all the drivers.

    The track is only made up of 11 corners, but there are a lot of places that can catch you out. Parabolica is a really quick corner and it’s very difficult to get it just right. The same is true of the Lesmo corners. With the modern F1 cars, the Variante Ascari is also very nice to drive – you are almost flat out and need to be very precise.

    We achieve some incredible speeds along the straights and I think the layout is going to suit our package. Last year I had a special race there: I was third on the grid and finished sixth, so I hope we can be in the points again this year.”

HAAS F1 TEAM

Romain Grosjean - “The good thing with Monza is there’s lots of overtaking opportunities. There’s turn one, three, eight and then the Parabolica. It’s more or less every single braking event.
The atmosphere is crazy in Monza. The tifosi, the fans – they’re just great. The track is in the middle of a park. It’s like nowhere else. There are so many people coming and watching, cheering for the drivers and, of course, for Ferrari. The atmosphere is electric. I love it.”

Kevin Magnussen - “Monza is all about the atmosphere. It’s got so much history and the Italian fans are really into it and they’re extremely passionate. It’s always a fantastic experience racing there. Monza is probably the best track for overtaking on the calendar. It’s always exciting racing there.”

McLAREN F1 TEAM

Fernando Alonso - “Monza is a very special circuit for me and I have a lot of very happy memories there. It has a different feeling to many tracks – maybe because of the heritage or the fans, I’m not sure, but the emotions you feel when the fans invade the track after the race is like nowhere else in the world – there’s so much passion there.

    For us we know this weekend will be difficult, like in Spa. Better tracks are coming for us, that’s for sure, but Monza has all the characteristics that expose the weaknesses of our package. We just have to work as hard as possible and see what we can get out of it.

    After the accident in Spa last Sunday I know the team has been working very hard to make sure we have enough parts for this back-to-back race. I’m very grateful for their efforts and I’ll still be giving it maximum attack even if it will be a challenging weekend.”

Stoffel Vandoorne - “Obviously Monza will be a challenge for us, as we experienced in Belgium. Our car struggles on tracks that are high-speed and low down force and this is probably the most extreme version of this.

    Despite this, the team is working as hard as ever to make the best of what we have each race weekend. I am as determined as they are to produce the best possible results given the limitations of our package.

    I really enjoy driving around Monza – it’s an incredible track with a huge amount of history. I think every Formula 1 driver appreciates the reputation it holds as one of the most famous and exciting tracks on the calendar.”

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Article Posted By: Amy Hawk
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Feature: United States GP - Our Post-Race Quotes

Amy Hawk (Lead Writer & Editor) - "The US Grand Prix was my home-race and it was spectacular. There was plenty of wheel-to-wheel racing, and thankfully the rain did stop around the half-way point. Congratulations to Hamilton, Rosberg, Vettel and of course the Mercedes AMG F1 team. They've accomplished so much this season and it's not even over.

Mexico is next and to have it make a return after 23 years is super exciting, not only for the fans, but for the teams and drivers. Especially Perez as it will be his home race. I'm hoping to see Gutierrez doing a practice session for Ferrari as it would be his home race as well. Shame he didn't get a drive this year, but the work he's doing at Ferrari is great. Cheers!"

Frances Fry (Assistant Writer) - "The circuit of the Americas never fails to deliver an incredible race. However, paired with torrential rain, the race didn't come without risks. Drivers were sliding and spinning all over the track as a result of the surface water. 

Despite the near constant downpour that drenched the weekend, viewing the coverage was very amusing as drivers and teams danced, laughed and eventually, raced. Perhaps the best of this was Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo and Daniil Kvyat dancing together in the pit lane. Of course, the biggest highlight of the weekend was Hamilton winning the championship, succeeding in defending his title. My congratulations go to Lewis and Mercedes. Another year on top!"

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Feature: Russian GP - Our Post-Race Quotes

Frances Fry (Assistant Writer) - "From lights out to across the line there was no telling what could happen. Car failures, collisions and penalties fuelled the fans and their cheers. Hamilton left the track on the brink of becoming a three time world champion, and after Kimi's penalty Mercedes were crowned constructors champions! The weekend was packed with news and events that sent adrenaline pumping through every fan's veins."

Amy Hawk (Lead Writer & Editor) - "What a great race. I really enjoyed it. Congratulations to Hamilton & Mercedes for their achievements and to Vettel & Perez. I am so thrilled to see Force India colors up on the podium again & I know there's plenty more to come from the team. The race itself was super thrilling. I don't think anyone was expecting that crash at the end, but I'm glad no one was hurt. Props to Carlos Sainz for racing after his accident in FP3. I know the race didn't turn out how he wanted, but the fact he got out there was great. My home race is next (US GP) and I'm super excited to see how things go. Cheers!"

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Feature: Italian GP - Our Post-Race Quotes

Amy Hawk (Lead Writer & Editor) - "What an incredible race. I love Monza, I have ever since I started watching Formula 1. The events in the last few weeks have been hard and we've lost another talented driver and amazing person. My thoughts and prayers are with Justin's family & friends during this difficult time.

Congratulations to Hamilton, Vettel & Massa. All three drove an incredible race and it was great to see a Ferrari driver up on the podium as it is Italy and the Tifosi were really cheering them on. I think if Raikkonen had had a better start, he might've very well been on the podium. I'd also like to acknowledge Force India. It's great to see both cars finishing high up in the points and moving up in both the drivers and constructors standings. I'm sure they'll produce more good results in the next race.

Speaking of... The next race is Singapore and that is my favorite race on the current calendar. Not only is it a street circuit but it's also a night race and when mixed together, it's always an incredible result. I can't wait. Cheers!"

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

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Feature: British GP - Our Post-Race Quotes

Amy Hawk (Lead Writer & Editor) - "I'm still thinking about the race. It had so much to offer and I was on edge the whole time with nerves. I'm overly relieved that no one got hurt in the accident during the opening lap and of course I'm also relieved that all that wheel-to-wheel battling was safe and clean. It was thrilling and action-packed and I enjoyed it very much. Silverstone is a really nice track and that burst of rain at the end really gave it an extra edge.

Congratulations to Hamilton for winning his home-race & Also to Rosberg and Vettel for their podium finish. It's always great when someone can win at their home race, it just makes the win extra-special and you could tell it meant a lot to Lewis (Hamilton) to be up there.

Force India looks to be heading for really good things with the new B-Spec car. You can already tell it's working for them. They just need a bit more time to get adjusted to how it handles and also to get them set-up just right. But I think the rest of the season is going to be great for both Nico (Hulkenberg) and Checo (Perez).

Hungary is next and I can't wait. Then there's the Summer Break. Everyone will have a chance to go home and relax before heading to Belgium for the race at Spa. Can't wait! Cheers!"

Frances Fry (Assistant Writer) - "Silverstone! Oh, you absolute beauty! I am incredibly proud of my home GP to have produced the race it did. I believe we all need to thank everyone that played any part in the planning or execution of the race. I'm sure you've all noticed that I say this every race but THIS was the race of the season! Almost a day afterwards and I still have the adrenaline coursing through my veins. I don't know how I slept last night.

I can't really make a precise highlight of the race because it was so intense. It was almost painful to look away from the screen for too long. I just wish I'd have been there! The atmosphere must have been electric. Especially considering our very own Lewis Hamilton brought home the maximum 25 points! In the last couple of laps it was incredible to hear the crowd roar as he passed. I don't believe this race is one any of us will be forgetting in a while. For those of you that aren't British, I hope you enjoyed your little trip to the UK and liked what you saw, even if it was limited to Silverstone. None we have a three week break which, if you're anything like me, you'll use to get over the race we just witnessed."

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Feature: Canadian GP - Our Post-Race Quotes

Frances Fry (Assistant Writer) - "Canada, oh Canada. I do love your racetrack! Your narrow straights and sudden corners leave no room for error, do they?  With just enough room for one car to slip past another, I think it's fair to say I've fallen in love with the track. Not only does Canada feature one of the most fantastic and testing courses, but it also welcomes us with some of the most enthusiastic fans of our sport. Let's not forget the cheers that leaped from the stands when a car driven by or passed another driver. Of course, the race did not go without a hiccup. I don't think any of us will forget the ground hog.

I'd like to thank Canada  for hosting an incredible show. I'm aware that some people found the race tedious but I can honestly say that the race blew me away! Possibly even my favourite of the season."

Amy Hawk (Lead Writer & Editor) - "I really enjoyed this race. It may not have been filled with the most overtakes or risky wheel-to-wheel moments but it was still overall a fantastic race and there was plenty to cheer about. As always my congratulations goes to the Winner, Lewis Hamilton and the other podium finishers, Nico Rosberg & Valtteri Bottas.

It was a fantastic race for Lotus & especially Pastor Maldonado. One of his best performances & I'm very happy he was able to finish the race without any mechanical issues & Score his first points of the season. The team should be very happy.

Austria is next and with its return last year, it definitely impressed & the fan turnout was amazing. I'm very excited to see it for the second time. Cheers!"

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Feature: Spanish GP - Our Post-Race Quotes

Amy Hawk (Lead Writer & Editor) - "Another great race. I hate how fast the season seems to go by. We're already on to Monaco, which a lot of people know is my favorite race on the Calendar and has been ever since I started watching Formula 1. But, yes, Spain was so good. Great race, great weather. It was really nice to see a clean first lap.. Everyone really had a chance to get out there and fight for points for the most part. Huge congratulations to Nico Rosberg on his first win of the season and also to Hamilton and Sebastian for their podium finishes. Well deserved.

It was really unfortunate that McLaren had to retire Alonso's car as it is his home race and I was really rooting for him and the team to bring home some points this time around. There's no doubt they're improving.. But it will take some time before they're near the top 10.

There was a great turn out from the fans. The stands were absolutely packed and I noticed a huge amount of Swedish flags for Ericsson, which is great. It's always cool to see all the flags. With Monaco being next.. It's quite a huge difference for the teams as far as adjustment goes. I mean, you're going from a track that's open and quite wide with smooth turns to a closed-in street circuit with very narrow corners. It's going to be very interesting to see how everyone does. I can't wait. Cheers!"


Frances Fry (Assistant Writer) - "Barcelona always has, and always will be a legendary racetrack. It's not secret how difficult it is to overtake on this risky series of bends. I think that's why the race this weekend was so incredible. Overtakes seemed to be happening here, there and everywhere. In fact, until the cars crossed the line I wasn't willing to say who I thought would win.

I don't know what has changed this year in Formula 1 but there seems to be an extra shot of adrenaline. Maybe it's all the new talent or the mix up with Ferrari's improvement. All I know is there's a significant amount of uncertainty to every race. The race is not only between the driver and his fellow pilots, but also with himself. When the driver takes his seat he readies himself to be bigger and better than last time. So far, I think it's pretty fair to say that there's been a rocket of excitement.

I've always heard fantastic stories from people who have attended the Spanish GP and after this weekend, there stories have been proven. It's officially on my "to attend" list and I cannot wait to cross it off! Being the race prior to Monaco, there's quite an impression for this race to make. Once again, Spain didn't fail."

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Feature - Chinese GP: Our Post-Race Quotes

Amy Hawk (Main writer & editor) - "I really enjoyed this race - First of all a huge congrats to Hamilton, Rosberg and Vettel. To see Ferrari up there in the results again is great. The team is doing a great job and I know there will be plenty more podiums to come. It was definitely a tough weekend for Force India. Hulkenberg's retirement was very sudden and then Perez was very close to getting a few points, but in the end it just didn't work out unfortunately. Overall, it was a great race and I'm very excited that this is a back-to-back race weekend with Bahrain coming up. Cheers!"

Frances Fry (Assistant writer) - "This season is electric! Not a race passes without its thrills. This race kept in with the pattern as we saw wheel-to-wheel racing, from the core of F1. Although the Ferraris were not able to race against the Mercedes, their racing and tactics cannot be faulted as they completed the race faultlessly, finishing in 3rd and 4th. Without a doubt the best of the rest. At the other end of the places we have Manor Marussia who also finished the race, with both cars crossing the line. The team should be very proud of themselves as they have defied all the odds stacked against them.

The most shocking part of the race was when McLaren driver Jenson Button and Lotus driver Pastor Maldonado had contact. Button was ruled responsible for the accident that lead to the Lotus' retirement. Since the race Button has apologised for the accident and received a penalty in time and license points. I hope McLaren's car and lick improves soon. It would be good to see them get some points! Overall the race was not short of supplying gasps as the drivers took to the track. A few teams have a little way to go but it is only the third race. Nothing is set in stone! I can't wait for the next race to see if Rosberg can pull a pole position out of the bag!"

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Feature: Malaysian GP - Our Post-Race Quotes

Amy Hawk (Lead writer & editor) - "For me, Malaysia is always an exciting race to watch.. Between the extreme temperatures and the tight turns, the circuit always offers up a great race. I'd like to congratulate Ferrari and Sebastian Vettel. It's great to see the team rising back to the top. It's also great to see Alonso and Bottas back on track. It's definitely a concern when a driver's been injured. Getting back into the car too soon can prove difficult and dangerous, but there were no issues for them which is great.

It was a real shame that Will (Stevens) wasn't able to race due to the fuel system issues, but I'm sure he's already focused and preparing for the Chinese GP which is next on the calendar. We're really looking forward to it. Cheers."

Frances Fry (Assistant writer) - "Malaysia, as per usual, did not fail to entertain. It offered up a perfect race, aside from the extreme temperatures which proved to be difficult to deal with for many drivers. As far as the race goes, it included everything a racing fan could want. Wheel-to-wheel racing wasn't short in supply which is always great to see. Between all of the mishaps you can often forget what lies in the heart of racing. Thrills and speed. They were in the race. I believe we saw Formula 1 as its always been. Classic racing.

The surprise of the race for me was seeing Sebastian Vettel overtake the Mercedes on track. After Vettel's win some people questioned if the victory was a one off. However, taking the overtake on track into account, I don't think it's logically possible to rule it off as such. Ferrari is back and Vettel is driving them forward."

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Feature: Australian GP - Our Post-Race Quotes

Frances Fry (Assistant Writer) - "The season is back and it's with a bang! Yes! Formula 1, the sport that keeps us going is back, starting in Melbourne with one cracking race! Out of the 18 drivers that qualified only 11 finished. Unfortunately Jenson Button struggled and was the only racer to cross the line without being rewarded with points. 

As expected after testing both Ferrari and Sauber have made massive improvements with their cars storming into the points. The 4 time world champion, Vettel, crossed the line in third place after a little competition from the Williams' throughout the race. The Sauber cars, which completed the 2014 season without a single point earned points from both teams and after the first race, find themselves in 5th place on the leader board. Will they manage to stay there? 

Unfortunately we didn't get to see Manor, who are back after rising from the ashes. I very much look forward to seeing Roberto Merhi and Will Stevens push the car on track. Sadly it won't be to race against long term racetrack rivals, Caterham. 

As far as the race went it was exactly as expected. With teams, pit lane crew and drivers getting back into the swing of it. Mistakes were made but they will be learnt from. The season is set to be an exciting one. Who knows? Maybe another team will even catch Mercedes! All I know is that F1 is back and it feels good!"

Amy Hawk (Lead writer & editor) - "What an exciting start to the season. A bit different than most were expecting, but overall I really loved seeing the cars back on track and racing each other. Obviously there was some drama during the week, between what was going on at Sauber and also Manor not being able to make the track, that was pretty unfortunate.

It's also hard when there's drivers who were unable to be present. Alonso due to his crash in Barcelona and then Valtteri (Bottas), who hurt his back during qualifying. We're wishing them both well and hoping that they'll both be racing in Malayasia next weekend.

It was wonderful to see Sauber score double points, as last year was tricky and the cars struggled with reliability. But this year, the cars are just performing great. I was really impressed with both Nasr and Ericsson. Well done.

Force India and Ferrari also impressed me as well. It's always great to see them in the points and.. It was a relief to see Checo (Perez) and Button both cross the finish line without any car problems after their brief contact at the beginning of the race.

A huge congratulations to Hamilton, Rosberg and Vettel on their podium finish. Can't wait for Malaysia. Cheers."

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Brazilian GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Mercedes

Preview Quotes - Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton - “Winning in the States was just an incredible feeling. I love spending time there and it's fantastic to see how much the sport is growing. I was just blown away by the support I had all weekend, which made the win even more special. Once I got ahead in the race there was no looking back and I still can't quite believe the run we've had recently. The team are doing an incredible job. Next up, of course, we have Brazil - which is another very, very special place for me. In 2008 I needed to finish fifth or better to take the title and, until the very last corner of the last lap, I was running sixth. I passed Timo (Glock) down the inside and, as I crossed the line, I didn't know if I'd done it or not. I honestly though I'd lost it until quite a while after the flag, when the team came over the radio to tell me I'd won the World Championship. That was an incredible emotional rollercoaster and a moment that will stay with me for my entire life. My record at Interlagos hasn't actually been the best so far in terms of results, though, with only one podium all the way back in 2009. I'm hoping this weekend will be the one to change that.”

Nico Rosberg - “The weekend in Austin was a tough one for me. Qualifying was obviously fantastic but I was disappointed to let the lead slip away in the race and to lose more points in the fight for the Drivers' Championship. In the end, Lewis just did a better job on the day and now it's up to me to make the most of these last two races and capitalise on any opportunity. It will be tough, but I'm going to give it absolutely everything I've got right up to the flag in Abu Dhabi. That first opportunity comes this weekend at the Brazilian Grand Prix - one of the classic races on the calendar. There is so much history there and, of course, there have been many great Brazilian drivers in Formula One. I've got a mixed record at this circuit but it's one I really enjoy as it's usually a really action-packed race. It would be great to give my title challenge a final boost with a good result before we head to the showdown in Abu Dhabi.”

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Feature: American GP - Our Post-Race Quotes

Frances Fry - "The COTA is perhaps one of the most intense tracks in the calendar. On the Fan Forum both Perez and Gutierrez said sector one is incredible and the third sector was the most difficult. I believe the race lived up to their comments. 

This weekends race was incredible! Right from lights out. Lap 1 gave us quite the start with the contact between Perez, Sutil and Raikkonen. From that moment on I found my self scared to blink due to fear of missing some action which I must say seemed inevitable. Not only were there close calls between a few cars but also, the track allowed the drivers to enjoy their racing and get stuck in! 

Once again, Button was allowed to show us all the great racing we've missed for most of the season. Jenson Button's idea of wheel-to-wheel racing is never a let down whoever it's with, where ever it is. 

In the moments where there did seem an even remotely less than entirely attention grabbing few seconds, Romain Grosjean (who was complaining of understeer) caught my attention as he often found himself battling with corners and I don't think you could count all of the lock ups if you used all of your fingers and toes. 

Essentially, the race was great. There was never a dull moment and I really cannot wait until next seasons race! COTA did not let me down."

Amy Hawk - "I really enjoyed this race. Not only is it my home race, but it was super entertaining. I loved all the wheel-to-wheel action and the constant battle between Nico (Rosberg) and Lewis (Hamilton).

It was disappointing to see a double DNF for Sahara Force India, especially for Checo (Perez) as he considers it his home race. It was a racing accident.. And unfortunately things didn't end well. As for Nico, it was an engine problem which couldn't be fixed by settings.

Huge congratulations to Lewis on his win and to the other podium finishers, Rosberg and Ricciardo. They drove incredibly all the way to the end.

Unfortunately for Sauber, it wasn't the results they'd hoped for. Esteban had a great pace, but it was just impossible to catch up after the penalty. As for Sutil, his race was over on the same lap as Perez so.. We didn't really get to see what would have happened.

But on to Brazil now and hopefully things will turn out better at the Interlagos circuit."

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Feature: Russian GP - Our Post-Race Quotes

Post Russian Our Quotes

Amy Hawk - "First, a huge congratulations to Lewis on his win, and also to Rosberg and Bottas. They drove brilliantly.

It was great to see a race at a brand new circuit. Sochi has a great atmosphere and looks absolutely beautiful. The race itself may not have been the most challenging, but it was overall a good race and I enjoyed it.

It's still a bit hard, as we're all still thinking of Jules, but we have to stay positive and it was great to see everyone was out there racing for him. 

Things look a bit more positive for Sauber, both cars finishing without any issues, so hopefully they continue that in Austin. Force India put up a great fight despite Nico having the penalty for a Gearbox change. Unfortunately the team is now back to 6th in the Constructors, but there's 3 races left to fight for 5th, so every point counts.

McLaren also looked strong and I was very confident Button was heading for the podium, but after the pit-stop, Bottas really had the lead for third. There wasn't enough laps for him (Button) to catch back up.

We're looking forward to Austin, as it is in the US, so that makes it our home race. It's going to be a great weekend, as it has been the past two years."

Frances Fry - "A race at a new track is always something to look forward do. The unfamiliar bends and tyre wear can leave a lot to be seen. Sochi was a great track with some fierce bends but tyre wear wasn't a problem for the teams. I suppose in some ways it was a bit disappointing as it didn't offer a lot of chance for what some fans may refer to as "action". However, I think it was somewhat a blessing. With the small run off spaces at the track, no cars were damaged upon wall contact due to the lack of "action". 

Additionally, the smooth surface gave drivers the chance to show off how long they could go on set of tyres. However, after Rosberg's lock up on lap 1 I think it's fair to say his drive was more than a little impressive as he didn't pit again for the rest of the race. 

This may have overshadowed the incredible stint done by Esteban Gutierrez who made his first (and last) pit stop on lap 40! He additionally put on a fantastic performance and for a while, it looked like Sauber were going to get their first points. However, after the pit stop, Gutierrez dropped back to 15th, 5 places out of the points. 

The highlight of the weekend was without a doubt Mercedes making history and winning their first F1 constructors championship. Now it's just a question of which driver will take the crown!  

So onto Austin we go. With larger run offs, more tyre wear, and more opportunity for points, I can't wait to see what happens as the season starts to round itself up!"

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Singapore GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Toro Rosso

Preview Quotes - Toro Rosso

Jean-Eric Vergne - "Singapore is possibly the most difficult Grand Prix for the driver, a really long race on a tricky track, in hot conditions. The track surface is quite bumpy and demanding for the driver, but that makes it challenging which is why it's a track that I love. We will have some performance updates for this race and I hope that means we can make a step forward and get a good result. The fact it's a night race has no real effect on how we tackle the race as visibility is good, in fact the lights are so bright that you don't even use a clear visor, instead I choose a medium tint. Racing at night is fun, it's quite cool to go to bed at five in the morning and get up at two in the afternoon and just stay on French time. Physical preparation is important as it is such a hot race, so we train in very hot conditions wherever possible during the European summer to prepare and I don't expect any problems on that front."

Daniil Kvyat - "I have actually driven the Singapore track back in 2010. It was in Formula BMW, but of course I only had 140 horsepower then and this year I will have a few times more than that! Therefore it's going to be a very different experience this time and one I am looking forward to. I do like the track a lot, because although it's a street circuit, it's much quicker than Monaco for example. Recently I was able to drive it again, although only on the simulator and the feeling I had was good. Although the walls are very close to you, the track itself is quite wide. I enjoy the aspect of racing at night and actually, after this year's Bahrain GP I said we should have more night races because the atmosphere is really cool. I'm sure it's going to be quite tough physically, but I am prepared for that. In terms of our performance, the fact that absolute power is not the most important part of the package, means we can expect the STR9 to be more competitive than, for example, down the long straights at the last race in Monza. Let's wait and see but on paper it looks more promising, even though we were still able to put up a fight in Italy."

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Feature: Italian GP - Our Post-Race Quotes

F1Insider78 Feature - Post-Race Quotes

Amy Hawk - "What a race. Like I said, Italy is one of my favourites. I really enjoyed the wheel-to-wheel battle between Jenson and Checo (Perez) - I think the fans really enjoyed it too.

Congrats to Lewis on his win and of course to the other podium finishers (Rosberg, Massa) - It was a tough race and I think they all performed very well out there, especially around the new parabolica which was challenging.

It was a shame to see Alonso out in the middle of the race. It was shocking as well, but he'll be back for Singapore and will fight to be up in front.

At the end of the race, the contact between Gutierrez and Grosjean was a bit frightening, as it is with all driver-collisions. It was minor and I don't really consider it anyone's fault as Gutierrez reported he was having braking issues, so.. It was just a racing accident. No harm done to either of them, so that's a relief.

We're looking forward to Singapore, which is probably my top favourite circuit for many reasons. Not only is it a street circuit but it's also a night race and when you combine those two, you're in for a good race. Can't wait!"

Frances Fry - "This Grand Prix proved to me, that Monza is an incredible circuit for mistakes to be made without causing too much damage. I think Daniil Kvyat did a more than thorough job of displaying that. In addition to this, the Russian rookie did a fantastic job of displaying the 200mph+ speeds that the driver reach on this track made of mainly straights. 

The only real damage that was made in the race was a few bald spots on tires from locking up, a puncture for Esteban Gutierrez and of course, the DNF of Max Chilton. Having experienced his second DNF of his Formula 1 career, Chilton expressed his upset, having to sit out for the remainder of the race. 

Esteban Gutierrez's puncture was a very sad sight to see. Both Saubers had been supplying an incredible fight for their mid-teen positions before the Mexican made a slight misjudgement of space and pulled back in front of Romain Grosjean after he believed he had made the pass. With Gutierrez's rear right tyre colliding with Grosjean's front left, a puncture was caused on the tyres that Gutierrez had been using since lap 11! 

After all the incredible racing that took place in this round of the championship I believe the drivers deserve the opportunity to grab a small break in the next couple of weeks before they race again."

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Feature: Belgian GP - Our Post-Race Quotes

Frances Fry, F1Insider78 - "This weekend's race was in no way short of thrills and excitement, living up to the reputation Spa has earned through the years, being one of the most anticipated races on the calendar. Following in the tracks of previous world champion, Vettel, Hamilton had shot past his team mate, Rosberg, and stolen first place by the first corner. On the second lap, the two Mercedes drivers experienced contact. Both Niki Lauda and Toto Wolff have since expressed much concern on the matter. 

The first few laps are consistently the most thrilling. The start gives the drivers a chance to shuffle around in order. This is why Hamilton was kept out after asking for retirement for 20 laps. As mentioned over the team radio, the team were waiting, hoping the safety car would make an appearance in order for a mock start to occur.

 Although this is without a doubt a clever tactic, you can't help doubting their decision to keep him out on the track. After the race Lewis said he had already used several aspects of the power engine and didn't see the point in putting himself at risk of a 10 place grid penalty, which is given to a driver after they have a new power unit aspect five times. It was a decision that was justified whatever the decision. What would you have done? Kept him out, hope for a safety car or brought him in and kept the power unit in a good condition? 

In other disappointing news, Lotterer, who was driving Kamui Kobayashi's Caterham on his Formula 1 debut found himself retired after his car simply broke down on the side of the track. The 32 year old shrugged at the camera before continuing on his way back to the pit lane, practicing sporting maturity and quite possibly earning a few fans. 

Now, on the more positive side of the event, Sauber have quite clearly brought some improvements to the team with both Gutierrez and Sutil finishing the race. Adrian Sutil was in 14th with Esteban Gutierrez in 15th, one of their most promising finishes of the season! Things are certainly looking up. Despite this, after qualifying on Saturday Gutierrez said that it was "Not acceptable to have a weekend like this" before going on to say that he believes the team has already lost too many sessions due to technical issues. He clearly feels he is doing all he can.  Hopefully we can see Sauber win some points in Monza next time to give them something positive to concentrate on. 

Speaking of positive, my driver of the weekend was without a doubt, Valtteri Bottas, taking Williams to the podium yet again! I can do nothing other than praise this man. Congratulations to him and his team, I can't wait to see how far he can take them!"

Amy Hawk, F1Insider78 - "First of all, I'd like congratulate Daniel Ricciardo on another well-deserved win. This race was definitely another exciting one. Fans got to experience the wheel-to-wheel racing that they arrived for. 

Where the situation at Mercedes is concerned, I don't really want to comment on it at the moment. I think what happened is now in the past. I do feel bad for Lewis though, you could clearly see the disappointment after the race. It was tough.

As for Force India, after Kevin's (Magnussen) penalty, the team came away with another double-points haul which is great. Also, the team is only a handful of points away from surpassing their record points-tally, which will be a great accomplishment.

Sauber is obviously improving and I couldn't be happier to see both cars finishing and in the top 15. It's a better pace than in the previous race and I think Monza will be another good weekend to show the improvements. I think in this later-half of the season there is a chance of points.. You can't count it out, nothing is impossible.

So, yes, Italy is next and it's one of my favourite races, so I'm really looking forward to it."

Article Posted By: Amy Hawk

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