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ROKiT Williams Racing Japanese GP
Race Review |
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Race Notes
• As a result of the predicted impact of Typhoon Hagibis here in Suzuka,
all track running was cancelled on Saturday. This resulted in a busy
Sunday for the team with both qualifying this morning followed by the
Japanese Grand Prix this afternoon.
• George Russell started 18th on the grid, with Robert starting from the
pitlane following a crash during qualifying this morning.
• George finished 18th with Robert 19th in the race.
• Both cars started on the medium Pirelli tyre with George running a
one-stop race, pitting on lap 25 for the hard Pirelli tyre • Robert ran
a two-stop race, pitting first for the hard and once again for the
medium Pirelli tyre on laps 22 and 33 |
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Robert Kubica:
"It was not the qualifying session that I had hoped for in Suzuka. I
accelerated
to open the lap, put the rear wheel off the track and then the wall came
very quickly.
Unfortunately, it was a high price for a small off, to end my qualifying
session. The guys have done another amazing job (to get the car ready),
they are a really great group of people. I really appreciate their work,
not only today but throughout the season. This is not an easy sport,
especially in these conditions. The race was difficult as you would
expect and overall, it was a pretty disappointing Sunday." |
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George Russell:
"Qualifying was incredibly tricky to be honest, especially through the
Esses. It
made it unpredictable, and it was pretty sketchy on my lap, but I gave
it everything and I think
overall, we overachieved so I was pleased with that. It was an
incredibly tricky race for us. We had some brake issues throughout which
made it quite difficult. It was definitely one of the tougher races of
the season. I have mixed feelings, but I can be satisfied, waking up
this morning I felt fresh and I did the job." |
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Dave Robson, Senior Race Engineer:
"Qualifying was held in dry but very gusty conditions,
making it difficult for everybody, and unfortunately Robert was one of
the drivers who suffered
as a result, leading to the first of two red flags in Q1. The mechanics
worked brilliantly to build a
new car for Robert and were able to complete the build and set-up in
time for Robert to take the
race start. This was a phenomenal demonstration of ability,
determination and teamwork.
George did a good job in qualifying, finishing very close to Perez. For
his first experience of
Suzuka, it was a tricky challenge, which he rose to very well.
The race took place in slightly calmer conditions than qualifying but
nonetheless, it was a difficult race, which pushed a large proportion of
the field onto a two-stop strategy. We were able to complete a one-stop
race with George but elected to complete a second stop with Robert as
this offered him better track position and a quicker overall race time.
Both drivers did a very good
job to bring the cars home whilst managing the fuel and brakes.
We will soon travel to Mexico where the altitude and weather will give
us a new set of hurdles to
overcome. We will continue our investigation of our new front wing and
will look to make a further
step towards the midfield battle." |
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