Kobayashi wants to make Sauber shine in front of his fans

Kamui Kobayashi will be one of the most sought-after drivers this weekend, as the Japanese driver will be at home and is eager to race in front of his fans: « I am looking forward to my home Grand Prix in Suzuka. I think our car should be very fast there and we will also have some updates on the C31 for the Japanese Grand Prix. I am confident that I can achieve a good result in front of my compatriots. Last year, I was 7th on the grid but had a problem at the start and only finished in 13th place. »

Kobayashi also believes that his compatriots are among the best F1 fans in the world: « The Japanese fans are incredible, and the atmosphere they create is a huge support. And they don’t just support me! They are true Formula 1 fans, and that’s why I am so proud of them. Nowhere else will you find fans who are present at the circuit so early in the morning and who stay so late in the evening, no matter the weather. »

The native of Amagasaki, near Kobe, particularly appreciates the layout of Suzuka because it is a track where a driver constantly improves: Regarding the circuit itself, Suzuka is a very special place. I am convinced that the majority of drivers will agree that it is a magnificent circuit. It is a very technical layout, truly exciting behind the wheel and a real challenge, especially because it is very difficult to perfect a lap. I must say that on most circuits, it doesn’t take more than 20-30 laps to really learn them. Sometimes some even become boring, but at Suzuka, you’re always learning and you improve even after hundreds of laps.

Sergio Pérez also appreciates the Japanese track, especially since he managed a remarkable comeback during his debut in Japan in 2011: « I particularly enjoy the Suzuka circuit. Last year, I raced there for the first time and had a lot of fun. I finished 8th after starting 17th due to a problem we had during qualifying. »

But the one who describes the mythical Suzuka circuit best is Giampaolo Dall’Ara, the track engineering manager at the Sauber F1 team: Suzuka is one of the most fascinating circuits of the season. There is a very technical first sector with high-speed corners, and then you have the second sector with the hairpin and Degner corners, which are tricky and important for stability. The Spoon corner is also very special. It’s a corner taken at medium to high speed, leading to a long straight with the R130 corner, which is now taken flat out but remains a challenge. Then there’s the slow chicane towards the end of the lap where you need good traction. Overall, it’s a very complex and technical layout. It requires a well-balanced car and is a constant challenge for the drivers.

Giampaolo Dall’Ara believes that unlike some races this year, tires won’t be a problem: « We will have both hard and soft tires, which should be suitable for this circuit. Given the abrasive surface and fast corners in the first sector, which put a lot of stress on the tires, we should have no trouble getting them up to temperature. »

The head of track engineering expects the C31 to be competitive given the contribution of some novelties: « We will also have a new aerodynamic package in Japan, including a new front wing. I expect our single-seater to be very competitive there given the qualities required by this circuit. »

Same optimism from Sergio Pérez, who hopes to bounce back after a disappointing Singapore Grand Prix: « After an underperformance in Singapore, I expect our car to be competitive once again in Japan, and we should be strong in the high-speed corners. The circuit has some very interesting sections. »