Reaching Q3 will be possible with new updates - Piquet Jr.
ING Renault Formula One Team driver Nelson Piquet Jr. looks ahead to this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix. The young Brazilian will have several updates on his car this weekend and hopes to reach Q3 at the desert circuit.
"Yes, after the wet race in Malaysia I was hoping for a dry weekend in China, but then it started raining before the start so I knew it would be a difficult race. The visibility was really poor and the car was aquaplaning on the standing water which caught me out a couple of times and damaged the car. So it was a shame for the team to come away with nothing, but hopefully we can put the disappointment behind us and fight back in Bahrain where I should have some updates for my car."
Do you enjoy racing in Bahrain?"If I’m honest it’s not one of my favourite circuits although there are exciting parts of the lap such as turns 5 and 6. However, the location means that the track surface is always pretty dusty, especially off-line and so you can’t afford to make a mistake and run wide without losing a lot of time. It’s also one of the hotter races of the year so it’s quite physically demanding, although it’s dry heat rather than the humidity you get in Malaysia."
What’s your objective for the weekend?"I really need to make sure I qualify well so that I can pick a good strategy for the race. If we get the new parts on my car in time for this weekend then I think reaching Q3 will be possible, which will put me in a good position to score points in the race. The team is working hard to develop the car and I’m sure we will be more competitive in Bahrain where I will be ready to take any opportunity that comes my way."
