Kubica Joins Williams For 2019

ROBERT KUBICA JOINS WILLIAMS FOR 2019

    Robert Kubica will partner George Russell at Williams for the 2019 Formula 1 championship, eight years after his last F1 race.

    Kubica spent 2018 as Williams’ test and reserve driver, completing a number of tests and participating in three free practice sessions over the course of the season.

    He replaces Sergey Sirotkin, who confirmed ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that he wouldn’t be participating in the 2019 season.

    “Firstly, I would like to thank everyone who has helped me during what was a difficult period of my life over these last few years,” Kubica said. “It has been a challenging journey to make it back to the Formula 1 grid, but what seemed almost impossible is now beginning to feel possible, as I am excited to be able to say that I will be on the F1 grid in 2019.

    For sure, it has been a long road to get to this point but, as the challenge now comes to an end with this announcement, a new challenge begins working with Williams on track

    It will not be easy but, with hard work and dedication, both George and myself will work together to try and help the team get in better shape to move further up the grid.

    This year has been tough, but I have learned a lot and I’d like to thank Sir Frank and Claire for this opportunity.

    Being back on the F1 grid next season will be one of the greatest achievements of my life and I’m sure, with hard work and commitment, we will be able to help motivate the team to achieve good things together.”

    Kubica last raced in F1 in 2010, taking three podiums for Renault on his way to eighth in the championship.

    But the Polish driver suffered severe injuries in a rallying accident in 2011, limiting the use of his right hand.

    Since then, he’s taken part in a “rigorous rehabilitation programme” and is now ready to make his return to F1.

    Deputy team principal Claire Williams is confident his F1 experience will make him a good match for rookie George Russell.

    “All of us at Williams have been immensely impressed at what [Kubica] has achieved and it is a great credit to his strength of character and tenacity to return to Formula 1,” he said.

    “During this season, his commitment to the team and the work he has put in behind the scenes has been unwavering and he has become an established and much respected member of the Williams team. He has a level of determination that is remarkable to see and he truly embodies the Williams fighting spirit.

    Having the consistency of Robert stepping into this new role will be an important step for us as we look to fight our way back towards the front of the field.

    I am also excited to have a mixture of youth and experience to lead us into 2019 and we look forward to seeing what they can achieve on track.

    I would also like to thank Lance [Stroll] and Sergey for their hard work in what has been a challenging season. We wish them all the best for their future careers.”

    The team also confirmed Formula 2 race winner Nicholas Latifi as reserve driver.

----
Article Written By: Bethonie Waring
No copyright infringement intended
Follow us on Twitter @bethonieboost & @F1Insider78 

George Russell Confirmed At Williams For 2019

WILLIAMS CONFIRMS GEORGE RUSSELL FOR 2019 SEASON

     Mercedes junior George Russell will make the step up to Formula 1 after signing a multi-year deal with Williams.

    Russell will make his debut for the squad at the 2019 Australian grand Prix, and is the first driver to be confirmed for Williams’ 2019 line-up.

    The 20-year-old looks set to join F1 as Formula 2 champion. Having taken the GP3 crown last year, He leads the F2 championship by 37 points with only two races remaining.

     “It is a huge honour to join a team of Williams’ prestige and heritage,” Russell said.

     “Formula 1 has been a life-long dream. From watching the races when I was a child, it feels surreal that I will not be lining up on the grid, alongside drivers whom I have admired for years.

     I would like to thank Claire and everyone at Williams for their faith in making this decision, as well as Toto [Wolff] and the team at Mercedes for their fantastic support throughout GP3 and Formula 2. I am incredibly excited to start working with everyone at Grove and to take my first steps as a Formula 1 race driver.

     I cannot wait for Melbourne next year and to join Williams at the start of an exciting new journey.”

     Russell, who spent the year as Mercedes reserve driver, has already tested in modern F1 machinery, running with Force India and Mercedes over the past two season.

     Unlike fellow F2 graduate Lando Norris, Russell is yet to make any Free Practice 1 appearances this year, preferring to focus on the F2 title.

    Williams has endured a difficult 2018 and currently lies bottom of the championship standings. The team hopes to change its fortunes with Russell on board next season.

    “We have already tried to promote and develop young talent and Williams, and George fits that ethos perfectly,” said deputy team principal Claire Williams.

    “He is already highly regarded in the paddock and a driver whose career we have been watching for a while.

     In the time we have spent with him so far, we believe that he will be a great fit for our team; his commitment, passion and dedication is exactly what we need to drive the positive momentum building at Grove as we focus on our future.

     We are extremely excited to welcome George and work with him moving forward.”

----
Article Written By: Bethonie Waring
No copyright infringement intended
Follow us on Twitter @bethonieboost & @F1Insider78

Hungarian GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Williams

DRIVER PREVIEW QUOTES - WILLIAMS MARTINI RACING

Lance Stroll - "This is a hard race, it is demanding on the drivers as it is tough physically, you don't get a break and it is usually very hot weather. Having said that, it is really enjoyable to drive there and I am looking forward to getting back to what I consider a great track. It is an old school circuit, but it has been resurfaced so it’s not exactly the same as it used to be. It is also quite narrow and, like in Monaco, overtaking is not that easy, but that is all part of the challenge. Not only is the track great, but I also love the city and have had some good times there."

Sergey Sirotkin - "Hungary will be another back-to-back, but by now we have enough experience on how to manage this. It’s a track I really like, I have had quite a few wins in Hungary and have good memories with this place. It will be challenging as I assume the weather will be hot, along with a very demanding track layout, so it will not be easy. However, it will be a good challenge for us to see how all the upgrades are working in the lead up to the summer break."

----

Article Posted By: Amy Hawk

No copyright infringement intended - Quotes belong to Drivers

Follow us on Twitter @F1Insider78 & @bethonieboost 

German GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Williams

DRIVER PREVIEW QUOTES - WILLIAMS MARTINI RACING

Lance Stroll - "This is a cool track that has a great flow and I know it really well. I have very fond memories of driving there and it has always treated me well. I have won three races there in the past and our Formula 3 car always worked pretty well there. I have not seen an F1 race there, but I’m told that the atmosphere in the stadium section is electric. The town itself is not much of a place and usually there is not much happening there, but I am sure that will be very different when the F1 fans get back there after not having had a German race for two years."

Sergey Sirotkin - "I have very good memories from Hockenheim. I like this track, and it should suit our car better than other tracks have done. It will be exciting to see what our recent upgrades can bring us before the summer break. It will be an important weekend for the team and I am looking forward to it."

----
Article Posted By: Amy Hawk
No copyright infringement intended - Quotes belong to Drivers
Follow us on Twitter @F1Insider78 & @bethonieboost 

British GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Williams

DRIVER PREVIEW QUOTES - WILLIAMS MARTINI RACING

Lance Stroll - “The fans at Silverstone in the UK are amazing. Not only are they enthusiastic, but also really knowledgeable and they just love their motorsport. It is always special having a home race and so obviously this is the case for the Williams team. It is a great track and very enjoyable when driving a Formula One car. It has a lot of high-speed corners, so you really get to feel the car come alive. This will be an amazing event.”

Sergey Sirotkin - “Silverstone is a great track and it’s the team’s home race. I have really good memories there. It’s definitely one of those races that everyone looks forward to, and for me as well. I’ve heard we’re going to have a new track surface, so I’m not sure where we’re going to end up. It’s going to be difficult for us performance-wise, but I strive on a challenge and I hope we perform well as a team at our home race.”

----

Article Posted By: Amy Hawk

No copyright infringement intended - Quotes belong to Drivers

Follow us on Twitter @F1Insider78 & @bethonieboost 

Austrian GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Williams

DRIVER PREVIEW  QUOTES - WILLIAMS MARTINI RACING

Lance Stroll - “This is just a great track. I love it and everything about it – the scenery, the elevation, the whole thing is just fantastic. It is such a beautiful place and such a beautiful circuit, and definitely one of my favourites. When I got there last year it was very familiar as it was the first track we went to where I had already raced in Formula 3, and on top of that had a couple of wins.”

Sergey Sirotkin - “I like a lot of the Austria track. It’s not a long lap and it doesn’t have many corners, but I like the layout. I’m looking forward to it. The circuit suits some bits of our car better so overall, I can expect a good weekend there. It’s going to be important to keep it up before the summer break.”

----
Article Posted By: Amy Hawk
No copyright infringement intended - Quotes belong to Drivers
Follow us on Twitter @F1Insider78 & @bethonieboost

French GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Williams

DRIVER PREVIEW QUOTES - WILLIAMS MARTINI RACING

Lance Stroll - "I know the Paul Ricard track from when I drove in Formula 3. I had a good time there and won a race, but I have to be honest because I can’t say I like it. It is just run offs everywhere and I am not a big fan. However, it is always interesting to go back to somewhere I have raced before and see what it is like in a Formula 1 car."

Sergey Sirotkin - "Paul Ricard is quite a well-known track for me. I did thousands of kilometres there last year. Although I know the track quite well, there are a lot of things that change over a race weekend that you never know. It’s a new track for everyone so it will be nice to see where we end up."

----
Article Posted By: Amy Hawk
No copyright infringement intended - Quotes belong to Drivers
Follow us on Twitter @F1Insider78 & @bethonieboost

Azerbaijan GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Williams

DRIVER PREVIEW QUOTES - WILLIAMS MARTINI RACING

Lance Stroll - "I have some great memories of Baku. It was my first podium in Formula One, so I shall never forget that, and the whole experience was amazing. Not only is it a great circuit, but Baku itself is a nice place. I had never been before, so it was all new to me last year but there was definitely a lot to see in the city. The track is pretty spectacular to drive. It is a long lap and is a technical track with a bit of everything. Since it is a street circuit and there are walls all round it, there is no room for errors."

Sergey Sirotkin - "I think Baku is quite a difficult track with a combination of very long, high-speed straights and tricky, hard braking zones. There’s no room for mistake which makes it quite a good race and it gives you good overtaking opportunities. It was a good track for the team last year as they had good success so I’m looking forward to getting there and going racing."

----
Article Posted By: Amy Hawk
No copyright infringement intended - Quotes belong to Drivers
Follow us on Twitter @F1Insider78 & @bethonieboost

Chinese GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Williams

DRIVER PREVIEW QUOTES - WILLIAMS MARTINI RACING

Lance Stroll - “Last year the weather wasn’t great and I remember it being quite foggy, wet and cold at the start of the weekend. This aside, it is a good track to drive as it has high speed corners and there is a nice flow to it. Last year in qualifying we were quite competitive, but then it was a shame what happened in the race. Hopefully we will have some better weather this year, a better result and that it will be an enjoyable weekend.”

Sergey Sirotkin - “China is quite a difficult track with difficult weather conditions which can affect tyre wear and car behaviour. It has some very nice long, high-speed corners as well as quite good overtaking opportunities, and it probably has one of the heaviest braking zones of the season. So yeah, it’s a challenging track and it’s really new to me. I know that it’s not going to be easy but hopefully with a good amount of laps and some clean running, we can build our confidence and deliver a better result in Shanghai.”

----
Article Posted By: Amy Hawk
No copyright infringement intended - Quotes belong to Drivers
Follow us on Twitter @F1Insider78 & @bethonieboost

Bahrain GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Williams

DRIVER PREVIEW QUOTES - WILLIAMS MARTINI RACING

Lance Stroll - "As usual, this will certainly be a hot weekend. I enjoy the track, and it has a good rhythm to it. The conditions during the weekend are always tricky because practice is during the day and then qualifying and the race are at night. This means there is a lot of adapting going on throughout the weekend. However, I think it is going to be a good one and am looking forward to getting back there."

Sergey Sirotkin - "I can’t wait for the weekend to begin. It was a very tough weekend in Melbourne and I really feel like I need another shot to bring us back to where we think we deserve to be, and to start everything from zero, and to try and get some confidence back in all of us. I know the track quite well and I think it suits some strong points of our car. I’m looking forward to it and let’s see 
what we can do."

    Bahrain is a great track with a unique atmosphere under the lights as darkness falls in the desert. It is a tricky race for car setup, as FP1 and FP3 occur in the afternoon with very high track temperatures and do not represent the cooler conditions seen in the twilight sessions for qualifying and the race. Therefore, FP2 is extremely important for our preparation. It will be interesting to see how the 2018 tyres perform in Bahrain and if they throw up more variety in race strategies. It is the first normal race track of the 2018 season with more predictable weather, so we should get a more representative comparison of the underlying performance of each team. After Sergey’s unfortunate DNF in Australia from a freak plastic bag, we hope to get him to complete his first race distance and that Lance can show well at his second year at this circuit."

----
Article Posted By: Amy Hawk
No copyright infringement intended - Quotes belong to Drivers
Follow us on Twitter @F1Insider78 & @bethonieboost

Australian GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Williams

DRIVER PREVIEW QUOTES - WILLIAMS MARTINI RACING

Lance Stroll - "Australia is always a good Grand Prix and I am looking forward to getting back there. It is the start of the season, there is always a great atmosphere, the fans really get into it and you are right there in Melbourne. I shall be excited to turn up. The track itself is bumpy and technical, as well as being narrow, but it is a pleasure to drive and I think we all enjoy going there."

Sergey Sirotkin - "It’s the Australian Grand Prix – it’s my first race in Formula One, my first race with Williams, and my first race in Australia. It’s very exciting and I’m really looking forward to getting there, to start work and to get closer to the lights going out. Looking back at my career, I have always been a racing guy and I’ve always liked the competition, pushing the limits of myself as well as the limits of others. To win in this environment is the biggest dream you can imagine, so I’m really looking forward to this challenge, to put more pressure on myself and to deliver. It’s going to be interesting!"

----
Article Posted By: Amy Hawk
No copyright infringement intended - Quotes belong to Drivers
Follow us on Twitter @F1Insider78 & @bethonieboost

Williams Shows Off 2018 Car

(Image credit to: Williams Martini Racing)

    Williams has launched it’s “new approach” challenger for the 2018 Formula 1 championship, the FW41.

    The first Williams to be fully designed under new technical chief Paddy Lowe, the car boasts a new aerodynamic philosophy, with a number of significant differences to its predecessor.

    Apart from the compulsory halo head protection device, the Williams features a fin running along its engine cover – not too dissimilar to the now banned shark fins of last season.

    “It’s very exciting to be giving everyone the first look at the FW41,” said Lowe. “The car has many new features, most of which are not all that obvious, but externally the team has pursued a very different aerodynamic concept which has allowed us some significant progress in aerodynamic performance.

    All Formula 1 cars are an evolution of what has gone before to some extent, but the FW41 does involve a number of departures from the directions that have been pursued in the past.

    Overall, the philosophy we are starting to see emerge is a new approach to the collaboration between aerodynamics and design to achieve the optimum working result.”

    Lowe added that developments from the Mercedes power unit also shaped the car’s packaging.

    Mercedes is understood to have pursued a different engine concept to previous seasons.

    Williams will field the youngest driver line-up on the grid this season, with 19-year-old Lance Stroll joined by rookie Sergey Sirotkin in 2018.

    The pair are hoping to improve on Williams’ disappointing 2017 performance, when the team finished fifth in the constructors’ championship and was unable to challenge Force India in fourth.

    “With a season under my belt with the team, I can’t wait to get back on track and see what the new car is like,” said Stroll.

    “Until we are on track we will not know what the competition has been doing, but I am very optimistic about the car the team has built.

    Last year was a steep learning curve for me and now I can’t wait to see what 2018 has in store.”

    Sirotkin added: “I’ve been in the simulator regularly, going through different set-ups with the car, different tracks, seat fittings and also a lot of engineering meetings and factory tours to meet everyone.

    I’ve been having fun with all the guys from different departments. It’s busy times, but I am really enjoying it. I’m getting ready for the season in the best possible way.”

    The FW41 will get its first on track outing at preseason testing, which will begin in Spain on February 26th.

----
Article Written By: Bethonie Waring
No copyright infringement intended
Photo rights belong to Williams Martini Racing F1 Team
Follow us on Twitter @Bethonie_Boost & @F1Insider78

Sirotkin Confirmed At Williams

SIROTKIN PARTNERS STROLL IN 2018

    Former Renault test driver Sergey Sirotkin will join Lance Stroll at Williams for the 2018 Formula 1 season.

    At just 19 and 22, the Williams duo is the youngest line-up on the 2018 grid, and one of the least experienced. They will be aided by Williams’ new reserve driver, Robert Kubica, who was also one of the favourites to replace Felipe Massa.

    “To say I’m happy and proud to join a famous team like Williams is an understatement,” said Sirotkin.

    "It took a huge amount of work to get where I am and I’m really happy and thankful to everyone involved.

    The result of our combined efforts has helped me achieve my dream and rest assured the team can rely on me to deliver my best.”

    Sirotkin makes the step up from GP2, where he finished third in 2015 and 2016. The Russian only completed a handful of races last season, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans with SMP Racing’s LMP2 squad.

    Last year, Sirotkin’s main focus was his test driver role with Renault. He ran in four free practice sessions throughout the year, including in front of his home crowds, as well as the Abu Dhabi test at the end of last season where he impressed Williams.

    “We have conducted a rigorous and exhaustive driver evaluation process,” said chief technical officer Paddy Lowe.

    “Ultimately Sergey impressed the team with his driving pace and talent, technical feedback and work ethic, both at the factory and trackside in Abu Shabi.

    I’m delighted he will be joining the tea to partner Lance next season. Lance will be going into his second season with us, after notable achievements in his rookie year.

    We have an exciting line-up for 2018, which we believe will help us to maximise the potential of the FW41.”

    Sirotkin’s appointment completes the grid for 2018. Sauber’s Pascal Wehrlein, Renault’s Jolyon Palmer, and Toro Rosso’s Daniil Kvyat are all without race seats for this year, though Kvyat has joined Ferrari as a reserve driver.

    Also without a race seat is Robert Kubica, who had been hoping to return to F1 after injuring his arm in a rally crash in 2011. He will play an active role within Williams as the test and reserve driver, but is still targeting a full F1 comeback.

    “I feel in the best physical shape that I have ever been, but it has taken a lot of work to get where I am now, so I’d like to thank Williams for the opportunities they have given me so far, and for putting faith in me with this appointment,” he said.

    “I have enjoyed being back in the Formula 1 paddock over these past few months, and I now look forward to working with the Williams technical team, both at the factory and at the track, to really help push forward the development of the FW41 and to make a real difference to their 2018 campaign.

    Having driven both the FW36 and the FW40, I’m looking forward to seeing how the FW41 measures up on track and working with the team to ensure we can maximise the performance of the car.

    My ultimate goal remains to race again in Formula 1 and this is another important step in that direction: I cannot wait to get started.”

    Kubica will run in a number of practice sessions as well as pre-season and in-season testing. He’ll also be on standby to fill in for Sirotkin or Stroll if needed, as was the case when Paul di Resta replaced Felipe Massa last season.

----
Article Written By: Bethonie Waring
No copyright infringement intended
Follow us on Twitter @bethonieboost & @F1Insider78

Abu Dhabi GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Williams

DRIVER PREVIEW QUOTES - WILLIAMS MARTINI RACING

Felipe Massa - “Abu Dhabi is always a nice race and a place I always like to visit. The people go crazy for Formula One as well, so I hope to see the track completely full! There are so many parties and boats around the track, and so many people enjoying themselves and getting excited for the race. The track infrastructure is one of the best in the world too. For me, it will be quite an emotional weekend as it will be my final race with Williams as well as my final race in Formula One. I am looking forward to it and plan to enjoy every moment, to finish my Formula One career on a high note!”

Lance Stroll - “I went there last year just after I was confirmed as a Williams Martini Racing driver, and it was a great event. In my view, it is a wonderful place to finish off the season. It is in the desert and they really put on a show, so this will certainly be a fitting end to the season. The circuit itself wouldn't be my favourite as it is very stop and go and doesn't have a great flow to it but, despite that, the show is great and so good for the fans. One very interesting thing is the pit lane exit which is in a tunnel under the track, which is pretty different.”

----
Article Posted By: Amy Hawk
No copyright infringement intended - Quotes belong to drivers
Follow us on Twitter @F1Insider78 & @Bethonie_Boost 

Brazilian GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Williams

DRIVER PREVIEW QUOTES - WILLIAMS MARTINI RACING

Felipe Massa -“Brazil, my home race! It is always very special, and I will never forget what happened last year. Last year’s result was terrible, but the love, people and reception I witnessed was amazing. It’s fantastic to race at home, in the place where I started my career, and I’m looking forward to having a good race. I’ve had many good races in Brazil. Unfortunately, the last two years I didn’t but I really hope we can this year and I can enjoy being in my town, with my people. I really hope we have a good result, that is the most important thing.”

Lance Stroll - “Obviously, Brazil will be special for the whole team as it is Felipe’s home race. I have been able to soak up some knowledge and history of Brazil over the past couple of years, so I can’t wait to get there for the first time to experience it. It is also another great race for food and I am looking forward to a good churrascaria. The circuit itself is legendary, and I know there have been some great podiums there with lots of tears shed. I know you can see over the city of Sao Paulo from the track so I can’t wait to get there to see it for myself and experience the atmosphere."

----
Article Posted By: Amy Hawk
No copyright infringement intended - Quotes belong to Drivers
Follow us on Twitter @F1Insider78 & @Bethonie_Boost 

Felipe Massa Announces F1 Retirement

FELIPE MASSA TO RETIRE FROM FORMULA 1

    Felipe Massa has announced he will retire from Formula 1 at the end of this season, despite fighting to keep his Williams seat earlier in the year.

    When speculation began Williams was considering Robert Kubica and Paul di Resta to partner Lance Stroll in 2018, Massa claimed the team would head in a “much worse” direction if it did not retain him.

    But the Brazilian appears to have backed down from the fight for the seat, and announced on social media his second F1 retirement in as many years.

    “I have now enjoyed four great years with the team, but my career in Formula 1 will finally come to an end this season,” Massa said in a statement.

    “I take so many great memories with me as I prepare for my final two races in Brazil and Abu Dhabi and, although they will be emotional, I am looking forward to ending on a high note and preparing for a new chapter in my career.”

    Massa previously retired at the end of 2016, but returned after Valtteri Bottas moved to Mercedes to replace Nico Rosberg.

    “I would like to thank Felipe for all he has done for the team over the last four years,” said deputy team principal Claire Williams.

    “We are especially grateful that he agreed to postpone his retirement from F1 for a year, after Valtteri joined Mercedes, which demonstrated the depth of the relationship we built during our time together.

    We appreciate that it wasn’t an easy decision for him to return, after having such an emotional send-off at the end of last year.

    On behalf of Sir Frank, and all the team, we give our very best wishes to Felipe for the future.”

    The Brazilian has over 260 grand prix race starts and 11 victories, but has struggled to compete with rookie team-mate Stroll this season. He lies four points behind Stroll in the championship standings and has a best finish of sixth this year, compared to Stroll’s podium in Baku.

    Massa was rumoured to be considering a switch to Formula E after his 2016 retirement and even tested with Jaguar. The 2017-18 FE driver line-up has only recently been completed, but Massa could make his electric racing debut midway through the season.

    Speculation continues as to who will replace Massa. Kubica and di Resta are currently favourites, as they satisfy Martini’s request for an older driver to partner 19-year-old Stroll, but Daniil Kvyat and Pascal Wehrlein are also possibilities.

----
Article Written By: Bethonie Waring
No copyright infringement intended
Follow us on Twitter @Bethonie_Boost & @F1Insider78

Mexican GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Williams

DRIVER PREVIEW QUOTES - WILLIAMS MARTINI RACING

Felipe Massa - “First of all, it’s a shame to see what’s happened, it’s so sad to see the people losing their lives and also their homes from the earthquake so that’s really, really sad. I think we need to help them and get as much support for them. We need to pass the message to people around the world. That is the most important thing. Secondly, they are really in love with Formula One and they go crazy for the race. When you see the people in the grandstand and around the roads, they are proper Formula One fans and I think it’s fantastic to race there. I always enjoy it, I go with some friends, my father and we always enjoy the atmosphere there. It looks very similar to São Paolo so you also feel at home. I really hope we can have an important race for them in this difficult moment.”

Lance Stroll - “This will be the first time I have visited Mexico and all the stories I have heard about the country and the circuit mean I am really looking forward to it. I am particularly looking forward to the stadium section where all the fans are and get really excited. I know there will be a great atmosphere and I can’t wait to get out on the circuit to experience it for myself. Another aspect of Mexico I am looking forward to is the food, as I am a huge fan of Mexican food and I love my spices. It will also be a bit of a special weekend for me as on race day I shall be celebrating my 19th birthday.”

----
Article Posted By: Amy Hawk
No copyright infringement intended - Quotes belong to Drivers
Follow us on Twitter @F1Insider78 & @Bethonie_Boost 

US GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Williams

DRIVER PREVIEW QUOTES - WILLIAMS MARTINI RACING

Felipe Massa - “Austin is definitely one of the best new tracks on the calendar. Although I love the classics like Suzuka and Spa, Austin is also a very nice track to drive. It’s a nice town, with nice steaks, so you always enjoy going there. It’s a place that I enjoy racing at but I also like to visit because the people are very welcoming. It’s great to see all the people in Downtown Austin enjoying themselves and having fun, there is a really nice atmosphere. I’m really looking forward to having a good race there and enjoying myself in Texas.”

Lance Stroll - “I am really looking forward to going to Austin and also spending a bit of time in America. From what I have seen, racing in the States, and particularly in Texas, is a lot of fun and then you have the barbeques and cowboy boots that they are famous for. The track itself has a great flow to it. There is the first sector with the esses and the elevation going up into Turn One is quite impressive. I think driving a lap there should be a lot of fun.”

----
Article Posted By: Amy Hawk
No copyright infringement intended - Quotes belong to Drivers
Follow us on Twitter @F1Insider78 & @Bethonie_Boost 

Japanese GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Williams

DRIVER PREVIEW QUOTES - WILLIAMS MARTINI RACING

Felipe Massa - “Suzuka is definitely one of the best tracks in the world and one where I really love racing. I think the car we have this year will be amazing there with the high downforce and the high-speed corners, so I am really looking forward to going there. Another great thing about being in Japan is the fans, who are some of the best we come across during the year.”

Lance Stroll - “I have heard so many great things about this track. All the drivers seem to love it and I am told the Japanese fans are also great. I am especially looking forward to Suzuka and spending a lot of time out in Asia. There have been some classic races there and let’s hope this year is the same. I am a big fan of the food and I especially love sushi and sashimi.”

----
Article Posted By: Amy Hawk
No copyright infringement intended - Quotes belong to drivers
Follow us on Twitter @F1Insider78 & @Bethonie_Boost 

Malaysian GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Williams

DRIVER PREVIEW QUOTES - WILLIAMS MARTINI RACING

Felipe Massa - “The race in Malaysia is another one held in very hot and humid conditions, but for this we go back to racing in the daylight. Without doubt it will be very difficult physically and us drivers will lose a lot of fluids. It is a shame that this will be our last F1 race there, as I like racing there and have some friends who live around Kuala Lumpur. I really hope we can enjoy this and it is a great last race for the fans.”

Lance Stroll - “The second of our three Asian races should be fun, as I like the look of the track in Malaysia and certainly seems a great one from a driver’s point of view. The area that looks like a lot of fun, especially in this year’s cars, is that S and a couple of high-speed corners, which are turns five/six or six/seven. The other thing I have noticed is it tends to rain a lot there, and it often comes down suddenly and heavily, so we are going to have to be prepared for everything. Also, as this is the last time we shall race there, I want to make the most of this opportunity.”

----
Article Posted By: Amy Hawk
No copyright infringement intended - Quotes belong to Drivers
Follow us on Twitter @F1Insider78 & @Bethonie_Boost