If Monaco is the glamour track and Spa the drivers’ choice then it’s Suzuka which provides one of the most technically challenging F1 circuits.
From its figure of eight nature to the tight intricate Esses corners to the 180mph heart-stopping 130R, it’s one roller-coaster of a track. Fitting, as within its site lies a fully fledged amusement park – Motopia - and a real roller-coaster for the fans. And very often members of the Paddock.
It’s a welcome return to the circuit after a two-year absence when F1 visited Fuji, and for now and the foreseeable future, Suzuka will remain the home of the Japanese Grand Prix.
As it’s located in a relatively rural situation, the majority of drivers stay in one hotel and can be found in either its Italian or Chinese restaurants over the weekend and in its karaoke cabins on Sunday night. All this combined makes for one great F1 round, both on and off track…
Our track record in Japan looks like this:
2006 (Suzuka)
Liuzzi – 14th
Speed – 18th
2007 (Fuji Speedway)
Liuzzi – 9th
Vettel – DNF
2008 (Fuji Speedway)
Vettel – 6th
Bourdais – 10th
Monday 28 September 2009
Saturday 26 September 2009
GP Singapore: Qualifying
26 | 09 | 09
Sébastien got through the first session – ending the evening 14th fastest during Q2. Jaime will start three places behind him after recording the 17th quickest time.
Sebastien Buemi (STR4-03)
“I am quite happy, as the session went smoothly without any mistakes. I got the most I could out of the car and am pleased to have got ahead of Trulli. I’m glad to finally be back in Q2. as it’s been a long time. Now we need to work on a race strategy, make a good start and run the pit stops well.”
3rd Practice Session 1.48.754, pos. 9th, 17 laps
Qualifying Session
1.47.369, pos. 14th
Jaime Alguersuari (STR4-02)
“We did quite well and we’re getting faster. It was quite difficult to do better than that, but I am feeling more comfortable with the track every time I get in the car. This has been the hardest track I have driven apart from Macau. With it being a street circuit, anything could happen tomorrow, so hopefully I can have a good race.”
3rd Practice Session 1.49.399, pos. 18th, 17 laps
Qualifying Session
1.48.340, pos. 17th
Laurent Mekies, Chief Engineer
“We had a very difficult Friday and made a major change to the car set-up overnight, which seems to have been a step in the right direction. Sebastien and Jaime also improved their performance. Jaime has got better throughout the weekend on a track that is difficult to learn and Sebastien is back in Q2 after a gap of a few races. We’re still not where we want to be, but having made a good step forward from Friday to today, there is still room to make another one for the race, which is likely to be very chaotic, so anything can happen.”
Sébastien got through the first session – ending the evening 14th fastest during Q2. Jaime will start three places behind him after recording the 17th quickest time.
Sebastien Buemi (STR4-03)
“I am quite happy, as the session went smoothly without any mistakes. I got the most I could out of the car and am pleased to have got ahead of Trulli. I’m glad to finally be back in Q2. as it’s been a long time. Now we need to work on a race strategy, make a good start and run the pit stops well.”
3rd Practice Session 1.48.754, pos. 9th, 17 laps
Qualifying Session
1.47.369, pos. 14th
Jaime Alguersuari (STR4-02)
“We did quite well and we’re getting faster. It was quite difficult to do better than that, but I am feeling more comfortable with the track every time I get in the car. This has been the hardest track I have driven apart from Macau. With it being a street circuit, anything could happen tomorrow, so hopefully I can have a good race.”
3rd Practice Session 1.49.399, pos. 18th, 17 laps
Qualifying Session
1.48.340, pos. 17th
Laurent Mekies, Chief Engineer
“We had a very difficult Friday and made a major change to the car set-up overnight, which seems to have been a step in the right direction. Sebastien and Jaime also improved their performance. Jaime has got better throughout the weekend on a track that is difficult to learn and Sebastien is back in Q2 after a gap of a few races. We’re still not where we want to be, but having made a good step forward from Friday to today, there is still room to make another one for the race, which is likely to be very chaotic, so anything can happen.”
Monday 14 September 2009
GP Italy: Result
13 | 09 | 09
Séb finished his debut Italian Grand Prix in 13th place. A gearbox fault forced Jaime to retire after 19 laps.
Sebastien Buemi (STR4-03) Retired
(On hearing a message from the pit wall, Buemi followed the Safety Car into pit lane, therefore he did not take the chequered flag, so he is classified as retired.)
“Starting from the back, the race is never easy, but I feel my lap times were good and consistent, especially in the second stint, so I am reasonably happy. From now on, we go to tracks that are a bit slower and more technical than here, running with more downforce. Let’s see if that works better for us. Some teams have made good progress recently, so we must see if we can manage to close the gap.
Jaime Alguersuari (STR4-02) Retired lap 20
“I started from the pits, so at least I kept out of the trouble on the opening lap. After that my race was going okay and I was up behind Buemi. But then I had a gearbox problem which caused my retirement. I’d also had some other troubles on Friday and when a weekend starts badly it often ends badly. I’m very disappointed not to finish, as it is very important for me to do as many kilometres in the car as possible.
Franz Tost: “The race was a good lesson for Buemi, as he finished the race, pulled off a good overtaking move on Fisichella and, especially in his second stint on Option tyres, his performance level was good. Alguersuari had a gearbox problem, so we called him in to retire. The positive aspect of this weekend is that both drivers are learning and improving.”
.Related ArticlesOur Italian Track Record
30 | 08 | 09
The last European race on the calendar is one of the most prestigious and [...]
Séb finished his debut Italian Grand Prix in 13th place. A gearbox fault forced Jaime to retire after 19 laps.
Sebastien Buemi (STR4-03) Retired
(On hearing a message from the pit wall, Buemi followed the Safety Car into pit lane, therefore he did not take the chequered flag, so he is classified as retired.)
“Starting from the back, the race is never easy, but I feel my lap times were good and consistent, especially in the second stint, so I am reasonably happy. From now on, we go to tracks that are a bit slower and more technical than here, running with more downforce. Let’s see if that works better for us. Some teams have made good progress recently, so we must see if we can manage to close the gap.
Jaime Alguersuari (STR4-02) Retired lap 20
“I started from the pits, so at least I kept out of the trouble on the opening lap. After that my race was going okay and I was up behind Buemi. But then I had a gearbox problem which caused my retirement. I’d also had some other troubles on Friday and when a weekend starts badly it often ends badly. I’m very disappointed not to finish, as it is very important for me to do as many kilometres in the car as possible.
Franz Tost: “The race was a good lesson for Buemi, as he finished the race, pulled off a good overtaking move on Fisichella and, especially in his second stint on Option tyres, his performance level was good. Alguersuari had a gearbox problem, so we called him in to retire. The positive aspect of this weekend is that both drivers are learning and improving.”
.Related ArticlesOur Italian Track Record
30 | 08 | 09
The last European race on the calendar is one of the most prestigious and [...]
Monday 7 September 2009
Tuesday 1 September 2009
No Health Cure at Spa
The Belgian circuit might be located in an area noted for its healthy spa waters, but this weekend was no health cure for Scuderia Toro Rosso, even if Jaime Alguersuari took an early bath after colliding with Hamilton at the second corner on the opening lap.
At least Sébastien Buemi saw the chequered flag, albeit in 12th place. The lack of points, combined with a very impressive performance from Giancarlo Fisichella, means we have now slipped to the bottom of the Constructors’ classification, three points behind Force India.
The STR4 showed some promise in the early stages of the Belgian weekend, but not enough was made of this in Qualifying. With Formula One being so competitive at the moment, and the majority of cars running reliably enough to finish races, our two drivers must get higher up on the grid on Saturday afternoon if they want to see their efforts rewarded on Sunday.
Looking outside the Toro Rosso garage, the Belgian Grand Prix was actually a fascinating race, with victory going to Kimi Raikkonen.
The unusual grid even gave rise to a ludicrous, but amusing conspiracy theory that a few teams whose future is in doubt had been given some softer tyres to help them get a good result! Before the race, there was much talk of the Ferrari getting the upper hand, but given that this is the Finn’s fourth win at Spa, we can assume driver talent might also have had something to do with it.
He did not have it all his own way, after scything through the field from sixth to second on the opening lap, then dispensing with Fisichella, once the Safety Car came in after it was needed to clear up the mess which put out four cars including Jaime’s.
If the pundits expected the Ferrari to comfortably pull away from the Force India, they were wrong and the race looked pretty open until after the second run of pit stops. With Button knocked out on lap one, Red Bull Racing was hoping to capitalise on this to close the gap in both championships. In the end, Sebastian Vettel made it to the podium in third spot, although he was behind Mark Webber in the early stages. However, the Australian was given a drive-through for an 'unsafe release' after a pit stop, ending up just outside the points in ninth.
Behind the top three, it was a good day for BMW, with Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld coming home fourth and fifth ahead of Kovalainen’s McLaren. The last two points positions were filled by the Brawn of Rubens Barrichello and the Williams of Nico Rosberg.
We now head back to Faenza after the back-to-back Valencia and Spa races, to prepare to make the short trip down the road to Monza for the Italian Grand Prix.
We don’t need reminding what happened there last year, but let’s be realistic, a point or two would be much appreciated.
At least Sébastien Buemi saw the chequered flag, albeit in 12th place. The lack of points, combined with a very impressive performance from Giancarlo Fisichella, means we have now slipped to the bottom of the Constructors’ classification, three points behind Force India.
The STR4 showed some promise in the early stages of the Belgian weekend, but not enough was made of this in Qualifying. With Formula One being so competitive at the moment, and the majority of cars running reliably enough to finish races, our two drivers must get higher up on the grid on Saturday afternoon if they want to see their efforts rewarded on Sunday.
Looking outside the Toro Rosso garage, the Belgian Grand Prix was actually a fascinating race, with victory going to Kimi Raikkonen.
The unusual grid even gave rise to a ludicrous, but amusing conspiracy theory that a few teams whose future is in doubt had been given some softer tyres to help them get a good result! Before the race, there was much talk of the Ferrari getting the upper hand, but given that this is the Finn’s fourth win at Spa, we can assume driver talent might also have had something to do with it.
He did not have it all his own way, after scything through the field from sixth to second on the opening lap, then dispensing with Fisichella, once the Safety Car came in after it was needed to clear up the mess which put out four cars including Jaime’s.
If the pundits expected the Ferrari to comfortably pull away from the Force India, they were wrong and the race looked pretty open until after the second run of pit stops. With Button knocked out on lap one, Red Bull Racing was hoping to capitalise on this to close the gap in both championships. In the end, Sebastian Vettel made it to the podium in third spot, although he was behind Mark Webber in the early stages. However, the Australian was given a drive-through for an 'unsafe release' after a pit stop, ending up just outside the points in ninth.
Behind the top three, it was a good day for BMW, with Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld coming home fourth and fifth ahead of Kovalainen’s McLaren. The last two points positions were filled by the Brawn of Rubens Barrichello and the Williams of Nico Rosberg.
We now head back to Faenza after the back-to-back Valencia and Spa races, to prepare to make the short trip down the road to Monza for the Italian Grand Prix.
We don’t need reminding what happened there last year, but let’s be realistic, a point or two would be much appreciated.
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