Sam Michael: We must score big points

Williams had set down their suitcases in Japan with the determination to erase the missed opportunity in Singapore. This was achieved with Nico Rosberg’s fifth-place finish, greatly aided by the intervention of the safety car and the various penalties handed out to several drivers before and after qualifying. Rosberg had gained four spots on the grid even before the race began. He then delivered a solid race and scored 4 valuable points for the team. Sam Michael looks back for us on Williams’ race at the Japanese Grand Prix.

How did the laps on a wet track on Friday compromise the preparation for qualifying and the race?

Obviously, it affected us a lot, even though it was the same for everyone. We had some new components in Japan, as well as alternative settings that we wanted to test, so the time to achieve all of this was limited. When you lose track time on Friday, you simply have to redefine your priorities and inevitably remove things from your list.

Have the technical data from the team’s last race in Suzuka in 2006 helped you?

« A little, but not too much! Cars have changed a lot since the 2006 race. We now have an official tire supplier, slicks, and completely different aerodynamics. So there isn’t a huge amount of data that remains useful. »

Considering your pace at Spa, were you more competitive at Suzuka than you expected?

«Well, Suzuka is a different track from Spa and requires a higher level of aerodynamic downforce. We were strong during the first stint of our race in Japan, which is why we were more competitive and scored points.»

How did the two red flags during Q2 compromise Nico [Rosberg]’s qualifying?

They had a considerable influence because we were focused on the prime (hard) tires at that moment. For it to work, you need to have the ability to do multiple laps. When session time is lost, your runs, and consequently, your qualifications are compromised.»

Were you pleased with Nico [Rosberg]’s performances?

«Yes, he had a good race.»

Kazuki finished his home race in 15th position. Could he have finished higher with a different strategy?

One must always expect a difficult race starting from 15th position. We opted for a one-stop strategy betting on the fact that something might have happened to improve his position, but that was not the case, so we couldn’t capitalize on it.

Were there any issues with the tires over the weekend?

«No, none.»

What performance do you expect from the FW31 at Interlagos?

«We expect to be competitive. The season is almost over and the constructors’ standings are tight, so we need to score as many points as possible. Our chances of performing well in Brazil are good.»