Japanese GP: AT&T Williams GP Preview

Suzuka Circuit
By Williams F1 Team
October 5 2010

After running in the street circuit of Singapore the AT&T Williams team moves to the high dowbnforce circuit of Suzuka for the 2010 Japanese GP. For the Williams team this race will see both cars will be running the final upgrade components of the season. The team goal will be for both FW32s to be fighting for points among the top eight contenders and to therefore be racing for points.

When: Friday 8 to Sunday 10 October, 2010
Where: Suzuka Circuit, Japan
Round: 16 of 19

Sam Michael, Technical Director
Suzuka is a high downforce circuit with a figure of eight layout. The track has it all, but one of its highlights is the fantastic Esses section. Being able to deliver a strong sector time across that part of the lap is one of the best indicators of a driver’s ability.

Both cars will be running our final upgrade components and we expect to run them all weekend. Our target will be for both FW32s to be fighting for points among the top 8 contenders and to therefore be racing for points.

Rubens Barrichello
I love going to this race, it’s in my top three of all the tracks we visit. It’s a big effort to get there, especially from Brazil, but you quickly forget about that when you engage first gear and leave the garage for the first time. Suzuka is a lovely circuit. It’s a very high speed track and has lots of high speed corners. You really have to be on it all the time.

I’m fortunate enough to have raced in Japan since 1993 and it’s wonderful to keep going back. We will have to wait and see how we go but I am optimistic that we can do well again this weekend.

Nico Hülkenberg
I’ve never been to Japan before. I’ve heard good things about it though so I’m really looking forward to this trip. As I obviously haven’t driven the track before either, I’ve been preparing on the simulator at the factory. I’ve also been going through data with my engineers to be in the best position I can be when I get there.

It looks like it’s going to be a fun track to drive. I think it will be important to get a good rhythm in the corners and there will be some challenging areas, but I like that. I’ll have the new diffuser in Japan so that will help me. We will have to wait until Friday to see where we are and go from there, but I’m looking forward to another good weekend and bringing some more points home for the team.

Race Data
Friday:
Practice 1: 10:00 - 11:30
Practice 2: 14:00 - 15:30
Saturday:
Practice 3: 11:00 - 12:00
Qualifying: 14:00 – 15:00
Sunday: Race: 15:00

Suzuka Circuit Guide:

Japanese GP: AT&T Williams GP Preview

Posted by: Williams F1 (IP Logged)

Date: 05/10/2010 02:07

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Re: Japanese GP: AT&T Williams GP Preview

Posted by: Francesc (IP Logged)

Date: 05/10/2010 11:02

Quote:
Sam Michael
Our target will be for both FW32s to be fighting for points among the top 8 contenders and to therefore be racing for points.

No longer for top 10, nice to see him aiming for top 8 smiling smiley

Re: Japanese GP: AT&T Williams GP Preview

Posted by: crusty_bread (IP Logged)

Date: 06/10/2010 08:31

Both cars in the top 8 as well- so that is Williams targeting being the 4th fastest team behind McLaren, Ferrari and RedBull- what a turnaround.

Apparently, Renault have no upgrades planned for the rest of the year, and Kubica expects it to be tough, depending on the development rate of the other teams.

Meanwhile, Rubens and Nico will both get the full upgrade package that was planned for Singapore- plus new engines.

Singapore, where Rubens was hauling Kubica in before the saftey car, will probably be Renault's most competitive showing for the rest of the year, as they have tended to excel this season (even more than Williams!) on slower street tracks rather than on tracks with fast corners. I think we have already seen their level drop off so they could be fair game.

To beat both Mercedes would be great too.

Re: Japanese GP: AT&T Williams GP Preview

Posted by: Gunk (IP Logged)

Date: 06/10/2010 12:07

I think this is usually an OK circuit for Williams - and not so good for Force India - so chances of that sixth place are looking good.

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