Ferrari Launch 2018 Car

(Image credit to: Scuderia Ferrari)

    Ferrari has revealed its latest Formula 1 car, the SF71H, ahead of preseason testing.

    Its unchanged driver line-up of Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen, as well as development driver Daniil Kvyat and Antonio Giovinazzi, were at the launch at the team’s base in Maranello.

    One year into the current set of technical regulations, Ferrari’s 2018 challenger is built on what the team learned last season. It is similar to its predecessor, the most successful Ferrari in recent years, but has a longer wheel base and a revised cooling system.

    Unsurprisingly, Ferrari has stuck with the traditional red livery, including on the mandatory halo head protection device, with the absence of white features differentiating it from its immediate predecessors.

    Also absent is the Santander branding – which has featured on Ferrari machines since 2009 – as the Spanish bank has opted to end its F1 sponsorship deals.

    Like all engine manufacturers, Ferrari has focused on durability this winter as drivers are limited to just three power units this season.

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Mexican GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Ferrari

DRIVER PREVIEW QUOTES - SCUDERIA FERRARI F1 TEAM

Kimi Raikkonen - “Because of the altitude, this track is quite slippery, with very little grip, so it’s easy to lose lap time. In the first part you have a long straight where it’s possible to overtake, while the rest of the track is more similar to a street circuit and there it gets more difficult to pass. But for sure, if you have the speed it should be possible to gain positions. This year we have been pretty strong in most places, so I don’t see any reason why it shouldn’t be the same here. Let’s see how it is tomorrow: with the new cars, given the increased down force they generate, it should be a bit better. In these last three races we are aiming to do the best we can, hopefully fighting for wins.”

Sebastian Vettel - “We are still here to fight and we want to do it till the end. We are trying to do our best and win and then we’ll go from there. Everything that we can learn today will help us for the future, this is the thinking inside the whole team. We need to keep going and push on our development. Last year, the start for us was important as it gave us the best opportunity to attack, but this year, we should have better chances during the race. We have had a mixed year with ups and downs, which I think is normal for a team. There were races we couldn’t finish and that hurts. But we have a good car and on paper we should be more competitive here, so let’s see what happens.”

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Ferrari Retains Sebastian Vettel

FERRARI RETAINS SEBASTIAN VETTEL FOR 2018

    Sebastian Vettel has secured his Formula 1 future with Ferrari after brief discussions with Mercedes.

    Vettel’s contract with the Italian team was due to end at the end of this season, but a three-year extension means he will remain at Ferrari until 2021.

    The German had been linked to a possible move to Mercedes but Niki Lauda confirmed they had stopped discussions when it became clear Vettel didn’t want to leave Ferrari.

    The deal means Ferrari will not change its driver line-up for a fourth consecutive season, with Vettel’s team-mate Kimi Raikkonen already confirmed for 2018.

    Vettel joined Ferrari in 2015 and has so far taken seven wins for the Italian teams. This season he became the first Ferrari driver since Fernando Alonso in 2013 to lead a Formula 1 championship.

    He is currently second in the championship just three points behind points leader Lewis Hamilton.

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Ferrari Unveil SF70H

FERRARI UNVEIL SF70H

    Ferrari’s 2017 challenger, the SF70H, has hit the track for the first time at the team’s test track at Fiorano.

    The Italian team launched live online only just over an hour before Kimi Raikkonen got behind the wheel of the 2017 specification car for the first time. The Finn was only shaking it down, but he reported no problems with the car he’ll be racing this season.

    Nobody at the team has set any expectations for the season ahead, though they’ll inevitably be trying to catch up with Mercedes, who are the favourites to lead the championship again this season.

    Due to regulation changes, the SF70H has a fin above the engine cover, like most cars launched so far this year, and a lengthened nose, as well as a completely redesigned roll hoop.

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European GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Ferrari

DRIVER PREVIEW QUOTES - SCUDERIA FERRARI F1 TEAM

Sebastian Vettel - "I don't know much about Azerbaijan. I'm really looking forward to getting there, as I've heard a lot of good things about it. I've heard that the track is very exciting, with parts leading through the whole town and narrow in places. So, I think it should be exciting. I am a big fan of street circuits. Usually, they are very tricky, bumpy, rough, very narrow places. So, hopefully Baku fulfills these expectations and goes in line with other street circuit classics."

Kimi Raikkonen - N/A

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Ferrari's 2016 Car Launch

Around 130,000 people turned to the Ferrari website to watch the unveiling of their 2016 challenger. The 62^nd Ferrari built single seater has a shorter nose and a tapered rear end.

Of course, the thing that immediately caught most fans’ eyes is the new livery. The traditional Ferrari red is, as always, the dominate colour, but striking white features have been getting fans excited. It’s a throwback to the seventies.

The move away from pull-rod front suspension might be what gets the fans excited once the car gets onto the track. The team has moved to a more conventional push-rod suspension, which should lead to a sharper front end, complementing the driving styles of both Vettel and Räikkönen. Changes to the power unit, making it more compact, may also make a difference on track.

But will it be enough to pass Mercedes?

“Our competitors are strong,” said technical director James Allison. “We have to go forward and improve. We are very confident that we can achieve good results this season.”

“We would like to fight until the end of the championship,” said Team Principal Maurizio Arrivabene. “I know it’s not going to be easy because our competitors are not sleeping, but we are all committed to do our best.”

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Feature: Star Drivers Of The Brazilian GP

Frances Fry (Assistant Writer) - "My star driver of the Brazilian Grand Prix is 18-year-old Max Verstappen. Once again the rookie has shown incredible maturity and understanding of his car. This was specifically obvious on track as he overtook several cars, earning a significant amount of attention.

These overtakes were some of the best from the race. This fact was highlighted as Hamilton declared it was impossible to overtake on the Interlagos track as he crossed the line second. Some could argue Max's ability to overtake in such extreme, high-pressure circumstances is due to recklessness but others could argue his overtake was that of a champion. Ex-F1 driver David Coulthard would agree (as he stated on BBC's live F1 coverage). Congratulations to Max on continued success in the overtaking department. I look forward to seeing the moves you make in the final race of the season!"

Amy Hawk (Lead Writer & Editor) - "My driver of the weekend is Sebastian Vettel.. He is really helping take Ferrari back to the top after a rough couple of years.. It's really great to see him and the team staying consistent and I know next year they'll come back even stronger and hopefully take some wins. Vettel has done an outstanding job with Ferrari & It's great to see he's getting good results."

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Feature: Star Drivers Of The Italian GP

Amy Hawk (Lead Writer & Editor) - "My driver of the weekend is Sebastian Vettel. It doesn't need too much of an explanation, really.. With it being his first year at Ferrari, to get a podium at Monza is a pretty big deal and you could see how excited the crowd was. Vettel is definitely in a new chapter of his F1 career since leaving Red Bull. I believe we will see him winning more races in the future with the Italian team. Who knows? Maybe he'll win in Singapore - We'll see."

Frances Fry (Assistant Writer) - Quote not yet released

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Feature: Star Drivers Of The Malaysian GP

Frances Fry (Assistant writer) - "My driver of the weekend has to be Sebastian Vettel. The race in Malaysia has proven to everyone that his move to Ferrari was worth while. Especially after the difficult season he had last year. Seeing him on the top of the podium was emotional for a lot of fans and viewers. In addition to this it was fantastic to see the Mercedes cars having to battle for their points with someone other than their teammate.

Sebastian Vettel has not only proven himself, he has also dragged Ferrari back to the top. If he's managed to win one he's capable of winning two. Who knows, maybe he'll even be a championship contender? It's only been the second race so it's a little too early to say. All I know for sure is Vettel is back and he's wearing red!

Amy Hawk (Main writer & editor) - "My driver of the weekend is Max Verstappen. This kid is a true talent and I find it thrilling to see how he does each race weekend. He's now the youngest points scorer in a debut season and I think's incredible.. You can tell he's really determined. He's very mature and well grounded, so I have a good feeling that he'll keep rising to the top. He has champion potential, no doubt."

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Malaysian GP: Race - Re-Cap & Results

We're hoping everyone enjoyed the second race week of the 2015 season. It was quite the race and it's time to jump into our re-cap.

It was an unfortunate start for Manor as Will Stevens was unable to start the race due to a fuel system issue that the team was unable to fix in time. However, Roberto Merhi was able to race, thus beginning Manor's first GP start this season.

When the lights went out, Sebastian Vettel and Nico Rosberg were eager to gain a lead over Lewis Hamilton as fast as they could and it was Vettel who was able to complete the challenge, making an easy pass early on and taking the lead of the race.

On lap 2, the first retirement of the race was Marcus Ericsson, who'd had a good run in Australia. The Swedish driver spun off the track and got stuck in the gravel. Unfortunately for him, he was unable to get out and his Sauber had to be taken back to the pits.

Daniil Kvyat had a battle with Nico Hulkenberg that saw the Russian driver gaining some air. Nico Hulkenberg was later penalized for the accident, recieving a 10-Second penalty which he later served during a pit-stop. It was the same penalty that team-mate, Sergio Perez served for an accident involving him and Grosjean. Grosjean had tried to pass Perez and ended up spinning across the track after the two cars touched. Both were able to finish the race none the less.

Alonso was the second to retire, on lap 20 due to an ERS issue, leaving Button as the lone McLaren on track. But, unfortunately Button retired 20 laps later with a Turbo failure. It's been a bumpy start for McLaren-Honda, but the team is confident they can rise by mid-season.

The battle between Hamilton, Rosberg and Vettel continued as the three switched positions between pit-stops and quick passes. By the late stages of the race, it was clear Vettel had the advantage and was about to take Ferrari to their first Victory in nearly two years.

Pastor Maldonado was forced to retire on lap 46 with a brake problem. His team-mate Grosjean finished 11th, missing the points by one position.

In the end, Sebastian Vettel brought home the win and an emotional one at that. Hamilton crossed the finish line in Second, with Rosberg following in a close third. Max Verstappen also became the youngest driver ever to score points in their rookie season, finishing in 7th place.

Here are the final results -

RACE RESULTS:

1. Sebastian Vettel  / Ferrari-Ferrari / Germany + 25 Points
2. Lewis Hamilton / Mercedes-Mercedes / Great Britain / + 18 Points
3. Nico Rosberg / Mercedes-Mercedes / Germany / +15 Points
4. Kimi Raikkonen / Ferrari-Ferrari / Finland / + 12 Points
5. Valtteri Bottas / Williams-Mercedes / Finland / + 10 Points
6. Felipe Massa / Williams-Mercedes / Brazil / + 8 Points
7. Max Verstappen / Toro Rosso-Renault / Netherlands / + 6 Points
8. Carlos Sainz / Toro Rosso-Renault / Spain / + 4 Points
9. Daniil Kvyat / Red Bull-Renault / Russia / + 2 Points
10. Daniel Ricciardo / Red Bull-Renault / Australia / + 1 Point
11. Romain Grosjean / Lotus-Mercedes / France
12. Felipe Nasr / Sauber-Ferrari / Brazil
13. Sergio Perez / Force India-Mercedes / Mexico
14. Nico Hulkenberg / Force India-Mercedes / Germany
15. Roberto Merhi / Manor-Ferrari / Spain 
RETIRED - Pastor Maldonado / Lotus-Mercedes / Venezuela / Brakes
RETIRED - Jenson Button / McLaren-Honda / Great Britain / Turbo Failure
RETIRED - Fernando Alonso / McLaren-Honda / Spain / ERS Issue
RETIRED - Marcus Ericsson / Sauber-Ferrari / Sweden / Spun-Off
DID NOT START - Will Stevens / Manor-Ferrari / Great Britain / Fuel System

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Abu Dhabi GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Red Bull

Preview Quotes - Red Bull

Sebastian Vettel - “I personally have very special memories of the Abu Dhabi circuit and race; it was here in 2010 that I became world champion for the first time in my favourite F1 car, the RB6. That was a weekend I will never forget and this year the race will mark another big moment in my career; my last race with Infiniti Red Bull Racing. Of course it will be an emotional weekend as we have great memories together, but I’ll enjoy the weekend with the team and with a bit of luck maybe we’ll get a final podium. The circuit itself is impressive. The five star Yas Marina Hotel spans the marina and across the track and is a spectacular landmark. One of the challenges of the track can be turn one which is very difficult to see and very fast. Also, turn 10, after the long straight which we take in first or second gear depending on the gear ratios, can be a good overtaking opportunity. I will arrive a bit earlier for the weekend as we have a show run with Infiniti in Dubai on Wednesday, which gives me a bit longer to enjoy the sunshine and warmth before we go back to winter in Europe!”

Daniel Ricciardo - “Like many modern circuits it’s obvious that a lot of thought has gone into making the Yas Marina Circuit as safe as it possibly can be. Of course that’s absolutely the right thing to do but the consequence is that there’s lots of run-off. It’s the way it’s got to be but you never feel like you’re putting the car on the line. However Yas still manages to get the adrenaline going. I really like the third sector, around and under the hotel. It’s got a bit more of a street circuit vibe and it’s good fun. Plus there’s the whole twilight racing thing. That’s a great idea; it seems to give the whole place a really good atmosphere and is quite different to anywhere else.”

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Brazilian GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Red Bull

Preview Quotes - Red Bull

Sebastian Vettel - “In Sao Paulo I have taken part in races which we will always remember, for different reasons. Like in 2009, when we almost took the title in the last race of the season. In the end it wasn’t enough and Jenson Button became world champion. I was very disappointed, but it was also an important experience for me. On the positive side we knew that we fought until the end and gave everything we could. 2010 was my first year on the Sao Paulo podium: a truly unforgettable race and thinking about Brazil 2012, I spun on the first lap and found myself at the back of the field. Suddenly the title seemed so far away. I worked myself back up through the field position by position and at the end it was unbelievable: we were World Champions again. In 2013, the title was already secured, but as it was my ninth win in a row, I will always remember this race. In Sao Paulo we drive anti-clockwise and the track has severe bumps. One of the best chances to overtake is the first chicane, the Senna-S. You have to be careful here, especially at the start as it’s very tight. The left-right-left combination looks a bit like a screwdriver and you are going downhill, so you have to be patient with the steering.”

Daniel Ricciardo - “I know fans love Interlagos because it provides such interesting races, but it’s never been a favourite track of mine. It’s a short lap and ideally I like something with a few more corners. But it’s got a brilliant atmosphere and if you don’t enjoy that, you’re doing something wrong. I can’t honestly say what the secret is to getting a good lap at Interlagos because I’m not sure I’ve ever really nailed it! I’ve been OK but it hasn’t yet given up its secrets. I think the best approach is to not look beyond the next corner. It pays to be ultra-precise with your track positioning and your braking: you have to concentrate on the turn that you’re in, rather than thinking too far ahead because for most of the lap the corners are individual events rather than part of a sequence. Obviously the time of year we go to Brazil and the location means that there’s a really good chance of a wet race. At some venues that’s a real game-changer but at Interlagos the character of the track doesn’t change in the wet - it poses all the same challenges but with a few added variables thrown in.”

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American GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Red Bull

Preview Quotes - Red Bull

Sebastian Vettel - "Austin is a fun city where you get a real feel for the Texan lifestyle and traditions and get to race on a great track. The Circuit of The Americas is a track I like a lot; it has 20 corners and we drive it anti-clockwise. The start/finish straight has a steep incline up to the first corner and is the trademark of the track. For us that means the braking starts uphill, which is not easy and locking the front tyres could be a problem. A lot of the corner combinations remind me of other famous circuits on the race calendar. For example the fast combination during the first part of the track feels like Silverstone and Suzuka. The famous Maggotts and Becketts passages were used as a model for this part of the track and the drivers enjoy the extremely fast turns, when the car is balanced right. Also corners 12 and 15, this section was taken from the Motodrom in Hockenheim. It is a slower part of the track, and is designed to create more of a stadium atmosphere. The long bend also reminds of the famous Turn 8 in Istanbul."

Daniel Ricciardo - "Hand on heart, this is probably the date on the calendar I look forward to the most. I've loved every minute of being in Austin: when they picked this place for the US Grand Prix, they absolutely nailed it. The city is awesome. I love listening to live music and this is a great place for that, plus Texas feels like real America, and that's something I've really enjoyed just sinking into the last two seasons. And then, there's the important bit. The Circuit of The Americas, in my opinion, is the best of the new breed of circuits. The nature of the corners is interesting. It's also a very busy track where you don't get much respite. The first sector is very special and that first turn, blind up the big hill is like nothing else in F1. It's also a good example of the excitement a late apex can create: you can have a really good lunge there. They've done a very good job."

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Russian GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Red Bull

Preview Quotes: Red Bull

Sebastian Vettel - "The track is unique as it is the only one on the F1 calendar to be located on an Olympic site. As for the circuit, there are definitely similarities to other tracks, perhaps the best comparison is Singapore. But unlike Singapore, the layout is more fluid, so it will be much faster. Some sectors remind me a bit of South Korea or Abu Dhabi. Generally, I think it has a very successful mix of corners with different characters, some of them will be very difficult, and that’s ultimately what we want as drivers. It will be quite slippery at the beginning of the weekend and I’m expecting a few driving errors, not only because the track is new for everyone, but also because the surface is still so green. So it will be a while until we feel comfortable on the track."

Daniel Ricciardo - "I think firstly, it’s always exciting to go a new venue, particularly a new circuit. As a driver it’s always nice to have something fresh and new and obviously Russia provides a new layout for us. I drove a few laps on the simulator already and I think it should be interesting. It’s always different in real life but I hope it can be a fun track. I don’t think we’ll know until we get there, but let’s hope it’s a good challenge for us."

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Japanese GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Red Bull

Preview Quotes - Red Bull:

Sebastian Vettel - "Suzuka has been a very positive place for me in the past, I've won the race three times and I also won the World Championship there in 2011 which was a fantastic experience. Suzuka as a whole is a fantastic circuit, probably the only circuit you can compare it to on the calendar is Spa. It is a very challenging circuit, especially the first sector where there is a lot of high speed corners. I really enjoy those, but later on you also have the spoon corner, which is very technical and a big challenge, as well as 130R. The fans are very special and the atmosphere is incredible, the crowds really appreciate what people in F1 do, so it is great to see that."

Daniel Ricciardo - "Suzuka is all good, but for me the first sector is just a delight. It's a dream. You have those fast changes of directions through the Esses, hard around the Dunlop Curve and then, arguably the best bit, turns Eight and Nine: Degner. Through Eight you're hanging on, it's so narrow and there's no room for error but you want to push as hard as you can. Then just as you straighten up the car, you're on the brakes, throwing it into this cambered right-hander and hoping you've got it right because if you haven't then it's all over. Getting to do that 53 times in a row is a pretty good way to earn a living. What you maybe don't see on TV is that it's a real rollercoaster, dropping into valleys and climbing up again, so that you're rarely on a level surface."

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Singapore GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Red Bull

Preview Quotes - Red Bull

Sebastian Vettel - “I love to come to this amazing and also very clean city. The race track is a bumpy ride and you are being jogged around a lot in the driver’s seat. The circuit is fun but at the same time very challenging. You have to get close to your limits and risk a lot, in order to get the greatest efficiency out of your car. The toughest challenges in Singapore are the heat and the amount of turns. The chicanes are very difficult to drive and you barely get to catch your breath. Very important for a fast lap is the last turn before heading to the start finish line. There is an extremely high curb, which you should not hit otherwise the car lifts up. My greatest memories are the wins of 2011, 2012 and 2013, because I think it’s one of the toughest races of the year. It’s very long, there’s no space for mistakes and the race just seems to go on forever.”

Daniel Ricciardo - “When you walk around on Thursday, the surface always looks pretty dirty. Modern street races like this tend to wash and scrub the track but even that doesn’t really change the fact that what you’re driving on is a public road with all the grit and grime and dirt that those have. It means you’re in for a slithery, bumpy weekend - which I love! The important thing in Singapore is to not get caught chasing the set-up on a Friday. The track is going to evolve, you’ve just got to be patient and let it happen without constantly tweaking your car, trying to hit a moving target. It’s one of those races where you’re never completely satisfied with the amount of preparation that you do.”

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Italian GP: Driver Preview Quotes: Red Bull

Preview Quotes - Red Bull

Sebastian Vettel - “Italy offers a lot: good food, nice places and I think this is the reason you will find a lot of Germans on the beaches there for their holidays! I spent a lot of time when I was young karting in Italy so I got to know a few places like Lake Garda, Napoli in Northern Italy, and Parma, which has a great karting circuit. The level of karting is quite high in Italy because there are a lot of manufacturers there. I have some friends in Italy from the karting days and also Toro Rosso so it is nice to go back there. For me one of the best places is obviously Monza for the race circuit, which is one of the fastest tracks we go to. The 5.793 km long track has brutal deceleration points, is especially tough on the brakes and the tyres are also heavily loaded, especially in the fast corners such as the Curva Grande and Parabolica. It is extremely difficult in Monza to get a perfect lap because it is almost impossible to hit every curve and every chicane in the way you want.”

Daniel Ricciardo - “The biggest challenges at Monza nowadays are the braking zones. The first chicane is the ultimate example: you’re coming down to that first chicane at the highest speed an F1 car will reach all year and you’re braking into one of the tightest corners you’ll take all year. Added to that you’re doing this with the least amount of downforce you’ll have all year – which means the car tends to slide around quite a bit as well as taking longer to stop. You can’t afford to lock a brake but equally you can’t lose time by being too eager on the pedal. It demands that you are really focused all of the time. I’m not really that keen on super-long straights; I find them a little dull compared to hammering through a series of demanding corners but Monza is the exception to that. There’s something about flashing through those trees in front of that massive crowd that definitely gets the pulse all the way up! Also the crowd in Monza is wild. Obviously it’s full-on Ferrari but in the past they’ve always been very generous to me. I’d love to get the opportunity to stand on that brilliant podium and find out!”

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Belgian GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Red Bull

Preview Quotes - Red Bull

Sebastian Vettel - “The race in Spa started our series of nine victories last year, which I always like to remember. The Belgian circuit offers all possible turns and manoeuvres: ultra-fast, medium-speed, heavy braking and fast straights. The height difference is so great that you always have the feeling of riding a roller coaster - especially in Eau Rouge. The weather can also be very unpredictable and a challenge for drivers and teams, it should never be underestimated: within minutes it can change from heavy rain to sunshine. As well as that, the safety car often comes out at Spa. The track is one of my favourites of the year because it feels like it has grown out of the nature that is all around it - it blends with the natural setting perfectly.”

Daniel Ricciardo - “Above all, Spa is a racing circuit - one that really encourages exciting wheel-to-wheel action. That said, F1 has changed over the years and whereas Eau Rouge and Blanchimont were once the standout sections, now it’s probably the Pouhon downhill left-hander at Turns 10 and 11. That’s seriously, seriously fast - and probably a good place to watch the race from for anyone prepared for a bit of a hike through the Ardennes. Of course, given the Belgium Grand Prix draws in all the petrolheads, everyone’s perfectly happy to slog through the woods to find the best view. You bump into people who’ve been going to the race for five decades. And if you ever go into a pub or restaurant in one of the villages around the circuit, chances are you’ll see pictures on the wall of great drivers from back in the day, standing where you are and doing what you’re doing. It’s great stuff.”

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Hungarian GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Red Bull

Preview Quotes - Red Bull

Sebastian Vettel - "I like the race and atmosphere at the Hungaroring, and have good memories of the races there even though I have never won in Budapest - it is still on my to do list! It is quite a slow track but also one that can catch you out. It has some tight, twisty corners and is quite a bumpy track, so you cannot underestimate it. It is normally hot in Hungary for the race which makes it a challenge to drive, but also makes a nice weekend for the fans watching. I really like the setting of the race track, just outside Budapest and near to the Danube - in the evenings I enjoy going for a walk along the banks, or sometimes a jog in the morning. The Hungarian GP is the last race before the Summer break so we will be working hard to keep up the momentum and have a good result to enjoy over the holidays."

Daniel Ricciardo - "I've always enjoyed the Hungaroring, but because it's so tight and twisty it's maybe not the ideal layout for a grand prix. It's like Monaco without the walls. It's one of those weird situations where the driving is very satisfying but the racing, perhaps, is not. It's a great, great track in qualifying, where you're driving on low fuel and fresh tyres - there's no let up and you're completely in the moment. In a race though overtaking is difficult because the track is quite narrow and that exciting sequence of corners doesn't give you the opportunity to line up a pass. DRS has improved things and the first corner and the downhill sequence that follows can be quite exciting."

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German GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Red Bull

Preview Quotes - Red Bull

Sebastian Vettel - "I always enjoy the atmosphere at the Hockenheimring. When you arrive at track in the morning the circuit's already filled with fans and when you're in the car you can see lots of German flags in the grandstands. The signing session is always very busy too. It's those little things I really enjoy about Hockenheim. We get a lot of encouragement. During practice you know that the fans in the grandstands are there to support you and stand by you, no matter what. Of course, you want to give as much as possible back to the fans, but sometimes it's not in your hands. However we will attack at the weekend and give everything."

Daniel Ricciardo - "Hockenheim's quite a short track but it's another of those with a little bit of everything. I don't think the track asks particularly big questions of the driver, though it requires you to be quite brave through the fast Turn One and the right-hander into the stadium – that's largely about having the confidence in the car to get you through those corners quickly. The other thing you need is good stability under the heavy braking for the hairpin. All in all it's a balancing act. You'd like to have the downforce for the stadium and to keep it steady on the brakes but equally you don't want too much drag on the straights."

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