BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX PREVIEW

April 16, 2015 by Infiniti

Daniel Ricciardo

Q1: What are you looking ahead to in Bahrain, after Shanghai?

Ricciardo: We stay in possibly the coolest hotel of the season. I haven't explored Manama, but out near the circuit where we're based we stay in a hotel with its own beach. Obviously the weather is great, and for training and relaxing for a few days before the event, yeah, it's pretty sweet.

Q2: Rumor has it the Bahrain International Circuit is your second favorite at Sakhir.

Ricciardo: Ha! Yeah, there's a really good go-kart track next to the circuit. Last year after testing you could go down there and hang out with the guys working at the track and do a few laps – obviously in your race overalls and helmet trying to look as cool as possible. Pretty good.

Q3: …and the grand prix circuit?

Ricciardo: It was the location of possibly my best qualifying lap ever, so I've got a few nice memories of Sakhir. Over one lap there's nothing that really has the 'wow!' factor, but for racing it's a little better. Last year the race was one of the best. You can pass, and moving to an evening race spices things up a little. It kept you guessing with the tires. Yeah, it's a good track to race on. There's some tricky corners. Turn 10 is a funny turning-turning-braking-braking that's very technical, and when you get it right it feels good – but there's nothing that feels sick…

Q4: 'Sick' in the Urban Dictionary sense?

Ricciardo: Yeah, that's the one.

Daniil Kvyat

Q1: On to the Sakhir circuit, the first night race of the season: Is that something you enjoy?

Kvyat: It makes a difference. The temperature is a lot easier on you as a driver. The tarmac is not so hot. The lighting is very good. There's no real issue with driving under lights. The track itself is what I would call a kind of 'classic' configuration. It's got some flowing sections, some interesting corners. I enjoy it; it's a good racing track. The facilities are great and it's a good paddock.

Q2: Is the circuit layout one that you like?

Kvyat: I had quite an unlucky race there last year but that doesn't make it a bad track for me. I think if you're fast and you're winning then any track is a good one! If you hit the right lines, if you hit on the right set-up and the right approach to the weekend, you're going to enjoy yourself.

Q3: And off-track?

Kvyat: We stay in a nice hotel in Bahrain. It's right by the beach and the atmosphere there is really nice. I haven't really been to Manama as it's pretty much just hotel and track!

Photo credit: Infiniti
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