Indeed, both drivers are anticipating a thrilling home grand prix, even if Sato is going there with some rather slapped wrists following his exclusion in China. Incidentally, he was also disqualified from last season’s race for causing an avoidable accident…
“Suzuka will be extremely challenging both mentally and physically for us this year. We are really upbeat after a great race in Shanghai and we should have a very strong package now. Suzuka has an equal number of the right and left- hand corners and most of them lead straight into each other, so it is important to have the absolutely right balance of the car, which I believe we can achieve after our successful testing at
Silverstone last month.
“We are firmly concentrating on performing well at this race as this will be not only our first, but our only chance to visit Suzuka this year, so we are passionate to have a good weekend for our fans. I cannot wait to share the massive support that I have had over the years as I am sure that all the team will feel it.”
Yamamoto meanwhile feels very much at home at Suzuka, not least because he doesn’t live all that far away. Ultimately, he is targeting a finish having only managed to do so for the first time in China, but he is certainly excited nonetheless.
“This really is my home grand prix because I was born very close to Suzuka. When I was eight years old I went to see the
F1 race there and ever since that day I have wanted to be an F1 driver. So I joined the Suzuka Kart Racing School when I was 12 years old and that was my first step into motorsport. I drove my first Formula car at Suzuka and what I could see from the car was just like what I had been watching on the TV!
