Italian GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Sauber

Preview Quotes - Sauber

Esteban Gutierrez - "I am looking forward to going to Monza. Due to the track layout, we need a high top speed in order to be fast on the straights. Monza's characteristics are different in comparison to the other circuits on the calendar. On one side, there are long straights, but on the other there are also two very slow chicanes on which we will use the kerbs. Therefore, the mechanical set-up of the car is crucial. From an aerodynamic point of view, it is important to have low drag, and, as a result, the downforce is much reduced. Ascari and Parabolica are my favourite corners on the track. In Monza it is not only the circuit that is special, but also the event itself. I am always excited to go there."

Adrian Sutil - "The race weekend in Monza is always a very special event due to the popularity of Formula 1 and the tifosi. It is surely one of my favourite Grands Prix, as the Italians are great fans, and they generate a nice atmosphere around the track. The circuit is the fastest on the calendar, and I am curious about the top speed on the straights with the new engines. The car needs to be stable under braking, as in the first chicane we reduce our speed from approximately 340 kph to about 60 kph, and on top of that we hit the kerbs. On the long straights a high top speed is important, which can be achieved by a very low downforce. As Pirelli has chosen the medium and hard compounds, it could be a challenge for us to bring the tyres up to temperature. After the German Grand Prix, the race weekend in Monza is another home race for the team, as the track is not far away from the Swiss border. I am looking forward to racing there, the Italian Grand Prix has a remarkable history."

Giedo Van Der Garde (Reserve) - "It is great to be back again in the cockpit on Friday morning. Particularly in Monza, there is always a special atmosphere, and the Italian people are really passionate about motorsport. I like this high speed track, and with the new engines and the special aero package we will be very quick on the straights. It is important to have a high straight-line speed, and to be fast through the chicanes. We need to find a compromise with the downforce level resulting in a high straight-line speed, but also finding the right set-up for a stable car. During the first free practice session we will test different configurations in order to find the best possible package. My favourite corner is Ascari, which is very technical and for me a perfect combination. I believe the spectators will see a lot of oversteering cars there. The track has quite high kerbs, while when you brake hard the rear is moving and the car is sliding around. It is good fun, and I look forward to driving there."

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Article Posted By: Amy Hawk

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Quotes made by Drivers.

Belgian GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Sauber

Preview Quotes - Sauber

Esteban Gutierrez - "I am really looking forward to driving at Spa-Francorchamps. The event is purely about racing, and the fans are really into our sport and passionate about it. I remember that the fans arrive very early at the track in order to be as close as possible to the drivers. In comparison to other circuits, the track is quite long with some interesting corners and long straights. It is one of those tracks which is like an adventure, it goes up and downhill. One of my favourite corners is Pouhon which is very nice. As the straights are quite long, engine power is crucial, which could be a challenge for us. The weather also plays a huge role at Spa-Francorchamps, as the mixed conditions can add excitement to the race weekend."

Adrian Sutil - "As Spa-Francorchamps is my favourite track, I am really looking forward to the race weekend. The atmosphere is great as there are always many fans. With the new cars we will have more top speed and less grip, so it will be interesting to see how it will be to drive under these conditions. In Spa I expect a highlight to the season regarding this year's championship. I have always achieved good results on this track and have some nice racing memories. Regarding the set-up, there are two variations: either you are fast in sector two and relatively slow on the straights or vice versa. Both set-ups can result in the same lap time. I would rather tend to go more for top speed. Eau Rouge is one of my favourite corners, and this year it will be difficult to go flat out due to less downforce. Generally, there are several high speed corners I like in Spa. The double-lefthander (Pouhon), for example, is one of them. Every corner is nice to drive as they all have a nice flow to them."

Giedo Van Der Garde (Reserve) - "For me, Spa-Francorchamps is one of the nicest tracks in the world. As it is close to the Netherlands, it is my home circuit. I like the track a lot because it is a quick one with many medium to high speed corners. It is not easy to set-up the car there; you need to have a stable car, especially for the high speed corners. It is a technical circuit because some sectors have several consecutive corners. With this year's new Formula One cars I believe we will have more top speed on the straights, but less downforce in comparison to 2013. I think Eau Rouge and Blanchimont will still be flat out. My favorite corners are turns 5,6 and 7 after the Kemmel straight. The right-left-right combination is quite technical; you can use different lines there. Another important aspect in Spa is the weather. You never know what is going to happen, one part of the track can be wet and the other one can be dry. Last year in Q1 it was raining, and I ended up in P3, which was quite entertaining. This is what makes Spa so special."

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Article Written By: Amy Hawk

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Quotes made by drivers.

In-Season Test #3 - Silverstone Day #2 - Times

The 3rd in-season test is now over after 2 days of 9 hour sessions. It was another long but productive session. Pirelli also ran some prototypes of 18" tyres on the Lotus. 

Unfortunately things do go wrong and that included many Red Flags due to cars stopping and that included a CU-H problem on the Caterham that Leal was driving. Sebastian Vettel also had to have his engine changed. 2 very lengthy fixes for those cars.

At the very end of the session, Giedo Van Der Garde had a very heavy crash into the guardrails and they ended the session about a half hour early due to the rail needing to be fixed. Most importantly, Giedo is OK!

Here are the times from the second day's session.

TIMES:

1. Jules Bianchi - 1:35.262 / Ferrari-Ferrari

2. Daniil Kyat - 1:35.544 / Toro Rosso-Renault

3. Kevin Magnussen - 1:35.593 / McLaren Mercedes

4. Giedo Van Der Garde - 1:35.327 / Sauber-Ferrari

5. Lewis Hamilton - 1:36.680 / Mercedes-Mercedes

6. Valtteri Bottas - 1:37.193 / Williams-Mercedes

7. Max Chilton - 1:37.359 / Marussia-Ferrari

8. Daniel Juncadella - 1:37.449 / Force India-Mercedes

9. Sebastian Vettel - 1:39.410 / Red Bull-Renault

10. Charles Pic - 1:41.906 / Lotus-Renault

11. Julien Leal - 1:42.635 / Caterham-Renault

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Article Written By: Any Hawk.

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