Friday: Gutiérrez replaces Pérez on short notice at Sauber
Esteban Guttiérez replaced a sick Sergio Pérez during the first free practice session in India, and the Mexican driver appreciated the experience. However, his compatriot was back in his seat for the second session, which left him optimistic. Kamui Kobayashi, on the other hand, had difficulty finding grip and knows he will have to work hard with his team to improve things.
Esteban Gutiérrez – 20th [Free Practice 1]:
« It was a great experience to replace Sergio this morning. For me, it was the first time I was behind the wheel of the C31, as I had only done straight-line aero tests until now. Even though I didn’t know the circuit beforehand, which made the session interesting, I worked closely with the team throughout the season by listening to the radio, attending meetings with the engineers, and today, I really enjoyed seeing things from inside the cockpit. It was also interesting to participate for the first time in an official Formula 1 event. It’s obviously very different from testing, and it’s a real challenge to stay focused. I think the circuit is incredible here, especially with the sequence of fast corners. However, my goal was to improve throughout the session and ensure that I would bring the car back to the team in one piece. Now, Sergio will take his place for the rest of the weekend, but in case anything happens, I feel ready to get back in the car. »
Sergio Pérez – 12th [Free Practice 2]:
« For me, the second practice session was as challenging as expected in terms of finding good settings for a lap, but I think we seem better when it comes to long runs. Obviously, I didn’t achieve the mileage I hoped for today because I couldn’t participate in the first practice session, but nevertheless, it was a productive day for the team and we have enough information to make the most of our chances. »
Kamui Kobayashi – 13th and 16th:
« I found it difficult to find good grip today. I can’t really say if it’s due to the dust on the track, the tires, or the car. But it’s probably a combination of all these factors and we need to find a way to improve. This is especially true for stints with low fuel, even though I haven’t done many laps with a light car. I spent a lot of time driving with a lot of fuel and I think we are good with a heavy car. We now need to work, but also consider the fact that the track grip is constantly improving. »
