Planet-F1

Force India preview the Japanese GP

Monday 6th October 2008

Making no mistakes and getting to the end of the race are Force India's key priorities for this weekend's Japanese GP.

Adrian Sutil

Q: How have you spent the break between Singapore and Fuji?
AS: Between races I went over to Bali for some warm weather training as with so little time between Singapore and Japan it didn't really make any sense to come back to Europe. Even though we were mostly working on European time in Singapore, to return to my home and then come back would be a long trip and you'd still have to adapt to the time difference once you got to Japan. This way, I can have a couple of days' break, do some training and adapt slowly to Asian time.

Q: How would you view the challenge of the Fuji Speedway?
AS: I have raced in Fuji a lot, perhaps more than any other driver in F1 as I spent a year doing Japanese Formula 3 in 2006. I had so many races there that year that it feels like my home track! It's not an easy circuit, there are some particular corners where you have to be smooth and not push too hard and of course there is that long, long straight.

This means you'll have to have a compromise set-up to make sure that you don't lose time on the straight, but you need to have a higher level through the slower middle and last sector. Another factor you need to watch is the weather, although after last year I don't think I need to tell anyone about that one!

Q: Last year you scored your first point in F1 at the track - it must hold some good memories for you.
AS: Yes, absolutely. Already the track was special for me as I had spent so much time there and still have friends in the area. Last year we also had a lot of fans coming to our garage as they obviously supported Sakon [Yamamoto] and knew me from F3. The race itself was very difficult. The conditions were tough as visibility was so bad but in very difficult circumstances I think we made some good decisions and could do a lot of fighting.

When I crossed the line I thought I was actually ninth, which was slightly disappointing as we were so close to getting that point. Then the team told me that I should have been eighth as Tonio, who was then racing for Toro Rosso, had passed under yellow and should have been given a penalty. At that point I really didn't want to believe I could have scored a point - we needed to go through so many discussions. When I heard of course I was delighted as I think we deserved this point after all the hard work that year and we finally got it.

Q: Do you think you could repeat this result?
AS: For sure this is what you have to hope for, but it's more difficult than ever this year. We had a tough event in Singapore, but we are so close to the pace that it only takes for one team to have a difficult time and we could be up there. Of course you can't rely on other teams, you have to make sure you are on top form yourself, so let's see.

Giancarlo Fisichella

Q: How would you review the Singapore event?
GF: It was actually a fantastic event, the organisers did a very good job. The atmosphere around the track was great as there were just so many people that it made it feel like you were racing in a stadium. Actually racing under lights didn't feel very different to racing at any other time of day, the interesting part was getting adapted to sleeping during the day and staying awake through the night. I didn't have too much trouble though, so if there are more night races it wouldn't be a problem for me!

Q: And the race?
GF: From our perspective, the race weekend was quite difficult but I really think everyone did a fantastic job to get the car to the finish after the problems on Saturday. We ran third for a time, so even though we ultimately didn't get any points we can't be unhappy with the overall performance of the team given the circumstances. It just shows how professional everyone is here.

Q: What are your thoughts on going to Japan?
GF: I like going to Japan to race, there's a very unique atmosphere there as the fans are always really knowledgeable and passionate, and I have a large fan club there! Fuji is an interesting circuit, with the combination of slow corners with that very long straight. It's very different from Suzuka, which was a real drivers' circuit, but it's still a challenge, particularly if conditions are wet. Japan in general has been a good event for me as I've finished nine out of the 11 times there, twice on the podium. I also came 5th last year in very difficult race.

Q: Would you like to make any predictions on this year's event?
GF: After the last race in Singapore, I think you can't predict any outcome! In my career I don't think I've seen a season that's been so full of twists and unpredictable conditions and results. For us, we have to do what we have been doing - concentrating on our performance, making no mistakes and getting to the end of the race.