INFINITI RED BULL RACING PREVIEW THE U.S. AND MEXICAN GRAND PRIX

October 19, 2015 by Infiniti

Daniel Ricciardo

Q1: So Daniel, what turns you into the head cheerleader for the United States Grand Prix? What do you like about Austin?

Ricciardo: Everything! I love Austin. Great track, great city, great food, great fans, great people in general, great hotel. Basically, great.

Q2: Start with the track: What do you particularly enjoy about the Circuit of The Americas?

Ricciardo: For a modern-day circuit with lots of runoff, they've done the best job possible. They've created a track that's safe, but managed to ensure it's still fun. It's probably the best overtaking circuit on the calendar.

Q3: And after a hard day of overtaking, what's on the agenda in the city?

Ricciardo: Well, I love live music and I love bars, and I particularly love live music in bars – and as that's what Austin's all about. It's the sort of culture I can really appreciate. I'll also enjoy some beef – definitely the city to visit if you like ribs or brisket. Amazing stuff.

Q4: But you stay out in the countryside. Where the snakes are...

Ricciardo:

That's right. We stay out in a hotel on a ranch – which is pretty awesome. There's a river, a golf course, and yes, the occasional snake. The snakes are OK though. They're pretty cool. They're not like Aussie snakes.

Q5: They're more scared of you than you are of them, particularly if you've got your beard on. Are you planning whiskers again this year?

Ricciardo: I'll probably do something – but no promises. Don't want to put pressure on myself.

Q6: On to Mexcio: By virtue of a show car run a couple of months ago, you're one of the few drivers able to tell us what the new Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez is like.

Ricciardo: Well, I've only driven around the parts of the track that were finished in July, so I'm not the authority on it. The very long main straight reminded me a little of Monza. And there are some flowing parts of the track, which look quite interesting, but you can never tell until you drive a new circuit properly. It could go either way. I hope it's fun.

Q7: And how about Mexico City. Did you get to sample some of that?

Ricciardo: I did, and it was very cool. I love the food – I say that a lot don't I? – and I love the passion of the people. It was quite a moment when we saw how many had turned up to watch us back in the summer. It really makes you do a double-take. I'm looking forward to spending more time there just so I can experience a bit more of the culture.

Q8: And finally, the big question that's dividing the paddock: Back to Europe after Mexico, or staying out to muck around in the Americas?

Ricciardo: Stay out. I'm keeping my options open though. Thinking about maybe Miami because I've never been – and then there's the Texas 500 the following weekend. Might go up to Fort Worth to watch me some NASCAR!

Daniil Kvyat

Q1: COTA is of course the circuit at which you made your grand prix weekend debut in 2013 for Toro Rosso. Is it a place of good memories for you?

Kvyat: Definitely. As you say, I made my F1 debut there and that was a big moment in my career. The race last year was, I would say, unlucky in that we had really good pace, but I had to pit for a vibration with the tire after overtaking Kimi. But yes, I have very positive memories of the circuit.

Q2: The circuit is a bit of an F1 'best of,' with sections influenced by classic sequences from a number of tracks. That could lead to either beauty or beast. Which is it?

Kvyat: The first one. I really like racing at COTA; the track is really good. It has a lot of high-speed corners, heavy braking, long straights, a bit of everything really – so it's great for racing, very enjoyable. Sector One is exciting. There are a lot of high-speed changes of direction. It's kind of like Maggots-Becketts at Silverstone, and it feels great through there in an F1 car. The circuit also has a lot of changes of elevation, which is something I think every driver appreciates. It's a good track.

Q3: What about the city? Is it a similarly entertaining experience?

Kvyat: Yes, I like it there. It's a really good atmosphere. Great food. America does feel different to race in. It's got its own style, which I like.

Q4: Your teammate seems to really get into the wild west vibe. Is it the same for you?

Kvyat: Maybe not quite as enthusiastically as Daniel – that would be hard! But I like it, yeah. It's Texas. It's cowboy country, and it's good fun.

Q5: Mexico City is unknown territory for everyone in F1. Is the prospect of racing in a new venue something you enjoy?

Kvyat: Definitely. It's always nice to visit a new place and to race at a new track. Mexico should be no different. The city looks nice – interesting culture and the food should be very good too.

Q6: What are you expecting from the circuit?

Kvyat: It's hard to say. On paper it looks interesting. It looks like there are some good high-speed corners and the esses section looks like it might be quite exciting. It obviously has a lot of history, and they seem to have kept the old-school feel of it, which is good.

Q7: Judging by the show car run the team did in June in Mexico City, it looks like the atmosphere will be tremendous. Looking forward to some Latin mayhem?

Kvyat: I think Mexico has a pretty big heritage with Formula One, and it seems like it's one of those places that is really passionate about the sport – maybe a bit like Brazil. It should be a good weekend.