#16 RACE PREVIEW JAPAN Suzuka // 6/7/8 October 2017 Content // Cyril Abiteboul // Bob Bell // Nico Hülkenberg // Jolyon Palmer // Track Notes // And Finally… Cyril Abiteboul FOREWORD Suzuka is one of the most iconic and unique circuits in Formula 1, and we love racing there. Japan is the final race of the East Asian triple-header before the last stretch. Cyril Abiteboul Renault Sport Racing Managing Director On a brief reflection of Malaysia, it is safe to say we On a brighter note, it was great to see our partner leave there feeling disappointed. It was a very tough team Red Bull Racing taking victory with the Renault weekend and we couldn’t quite make the car work as power unit. we have in previous races. Suzuka is a favourite for the drivers due to the unique The first lap put us on the back foot and both cars challenge it offers and its fast bends. It’s a well- failed to work their way up into the points. We tried an balanced track, not too power sensitive, so we think aggressive strategy with Nico, but that gamble didn’t we can be competitive there. Back-to-back races are pay off. Jolyon had a couple of spins late on and lost always challenging, but it means we head to Japan some positions. It’s one of those weekends we are keen determined to return to the points. to brush aside. We are fortunate that the Japanese We will have some aero upgrades in Suzuka which we Grand Prix comes soon after so we can make a swift hope will bring performance and so points. They are return to where we are. essential if we are to reach our end of season objective of fifth in the Constructors’ Championship. ” It was great to see our partner team Red Bull Racing taking victory with the Renault power unit.” BOB BELL Tooth and nail Suzuka throws up a special challenge for both car and driver as Technical Director Bob Bell explains. Bob Bell Renault Sport Formula One Team Chief Technical Officer Q&A What’s the outlook heading to Any caveats to the positive In summation, we don’t go to lots of things went wrong in the Suzuka? outlook? Japan with many major concerns. race, most notably at the start and It’s a challenging track and a Japan is a venue where you never We need to keep working on our thereon it was difficult to close the Grand Prix which always produces quite know what you’re likely to reliability as we have the pace in gap back. It's complex to analyse exciting racing. The circuit is a mix get with the weather. We have the car to meet our objectives, but, with decent starts and in of low and high-speed corners seen numerous wet races in it’s more a case of getting the car maximising opportunities, points and frequent changes of direction Suzuka across the years and even across the line with both drivers. would always have been possible. such as the S bends. It should some more extreme weather too. We will use lessons learnt to do suit the R.S.17; speed-wise it’s However, if we look at our recent What went wrong in Sepang? better in Suzuka. a bit like Spa and Silverstone wet weather performance, we It came as a wake-up call. We where we went well. We head can see that we struggled a bit realised on Friday the car wasn’t to Japan feeling hungry and in Monza on the Intermediates, on the pace as both drivers weren’t positive. We want to get over the but we weren’t bad in the Wets in happy with the balance. We were disappointment of Sepang as Singapore. We’re making progress encouraged that we made some rapidly as possible. and learning how to handle changes before qualifying and different conditions. it was there or thereabouts. But . “ It should suit the R.S.17; speed-wise it’s a bit like Spa and Silverstone where we went well.” NICO HÜLKENBERG nico hülkenberg NICO HULKENBURG Drift King A bitterly frustrating outing in Sepang means Nico Hülkenberg is determined to return to the top ten around the legendary Suzuka circuit. Nico Hülkenberg / Race Driver #27 Q&A What are your thoughts on the Japanese Grand Prix? Is Suzuka one of your favourite circuits? What are your feelings after Malaysia? Japan is very special. The fans are amazing, they are I love coming to Japan as Suzuka is one of the best tracks It was a difficult weekend for us and we struggled among the most enthusiastic out of all the places we to drive on the calendar. It has a good flow, it’s very quick throughout the three days. We didn’t really find the visit. They are super supportive; day, night, whatever the but a nice feeling. You can be quite aggressive in places. balance or grip. Qualifying was good and we squeezed weather. It’s certainly one of the race weekends I look It’s quite up and down, which you don’t really see on TV. some performance out. The first lap of the race wasn’t forward to. I have a fairly decent and consistent record 130R is flat out, a big corner and a lot of fun. This year’s great and put us on the backfoot and we couldn’t recover. around Suzuka, so I’m looking forward to getting out there cars will be a cool sight to see there! It’s a great pleasure to It was a frustrating weekend, but we’ll analyse and regroup and hopefully continuing the run. nail these corners. and push again in Japan. “ This year’s cars will be a cool sight to see there! It’s a great pleasure to nail these corners.” jolyon palmer jolyon palmer jolyon palmer Teriyaki Boyz Jolyon Palmer is keen to take a second points finish of the season in Japan as the Formula 1 season heads into the final straight. Jolyon Palmer / Race Driver #30 Q&A How is Suzuka to drive? What’s the atmosphere in Japan like? How do you reflect on Malaysia? It’s an old-school circuit, highly unique especially the first The fans embrace Formula 1 like no other country and Malaysia was a frustrating weekend, but in Japan we sector which is fast and flowing with quick changes of Suzuka is always packed out when F1 is in town. should be stronger. We can take some positives from direction. The middle sector is cool with the two Degners, The fans are so passionate which makes it a special Sepang. Back-to-back races are good, especially after a which are quick and crucial to get right. 130R is mega and weekend. There’s crazy merchandise and crazy hats there disappointing weekend, as it means we can put it behind the chicane features a good overtaking spot. It’s three and everyone really shows their support. That’s what we and aim to do a better job in Japan. challenging, but enjoyable, sectors and I went fairly well love to see! The history of Formula 1 and Japan is well- there last year, so looking forward to it. known. As for other aspects, I’m quite partial to sushi and teriyaki so I’ll be eating well when I’m there. “ The fans embrace Formula 1 like no other country and Suzuka is always packed out when F1 is in town.” NICO HÜLKENBERG renault sport round up round up Aitken ready to chase down Russell in Jerez Renault Sport Academy Driver Jack Aitken will make a return to action as the GP3 Series resumes in Jerez for round seven of the championship on the Grand Prix weekend. Jack, fresh from his recent outing in the Renault-powered 2012-spec E20 Formula 1 car, will aim to cut the lead to George Russell in the title battle. Team-mate and compatriot Russell currently leads the series by 43 points with Jerez and Abu Dhabi in November the final two rounds of the championship. “ I’m really looking forward to getting back in the seat as it’s been over a month since the last round. The championship is still up for grabs, I need to go to Jerez and get some good results. It’s a track I know well, I’ve just done a Formula 1 test there, so it shouldn’t take long to get back in the rhythm of GP3. Of course, the aim is to take the title battle to the final round.” Rowland and Latifi set for Formula 2 penultimate round Renault Sport Formula One Team Development Driver Oliver Rowland and Test Driver Nicholas Latifi jump back into the cockpit as the Formula 2 Championship heads to Jerez on 7-8 October. Rowland, second in the championship, has scored one-point from the last two rounds in Belgium and Italy as he sets his sights on taking the title battle with Charles Leclerc to the final round in Abu Dhabi. Latifi, fifth in the series, will want to make a return to the podium as he remains in the mix to finish in the top three. Oliver Rowland “ After a month break, it’s exciting to jump back into the cockpit again. It’s the penultimate round of the championship so we go there with determination to take the title battle to the final round. It’s an enjoyable circuit and we’ll aim to get some good results.” Nicholas Latifi " I’m really looking forward to getting back in the seat again for the penultimate round of the championship.