SPANISH GRAND PRIX PREVIEW
Company press release.
Sebastian Vettel
Formula One returns to Europe with the Spanish GP. A nice side aspect of that is that we are back in the Energy Station, which provides a lot of space for us and the team. It will become a little bit like home over the next few weeks. The Circuit de Catalunya is varied with 180-degree bends, fast, sweeping corners and elevation changes. There isn't much opportunity to overtake, so getting a good start position in qualifying will be crucial. The long, fast curves of Montmelo mean that it will suit a car with highly efficient aerodynamics. The track is very challenging on the tires because of the same very fast corners, so lots of pit stops are likely in the race.
Daniel Ricciardo
I've always enjoyed the Circuit de Catalunya and think it's a great track. It's a 'bit of everything' circuit – which is why it's proved so popular as a testing venue. The first sector is really nice, with the corners all flowing together, and the second sector, while a bit more technical, is also really interesting. The final sector is less good but you can understand why they changed it; I assume the old layout was more exciting. It's a good track to defend on, but one that demands a lot of concentration and the right set-up. The trade-off is that you need fairly low downforce on the long main straight, but that compromises the rest of your lap and makes the car difficult to control. Finding the right balance isn't simple.
The Track
Given that in the past, teams camped out here year round, pounding around for thousands of kilometers in testing, the Circuit de Catalunya was often responsible for some of the most tedious races in F1. Indeed, in the early 2000s, one particular race was so dull that after the race Eddie Irvine lamented the lack of in-car entertainment in his Ferrari. That has all changed in recent years, and while the race has still been won from pole eight times in the past 10 years, the two off-pole wins have come in the past three years – since the introduction of DRS. Seb won for us in 2011 from second on the grid, and that Spanish bloke won last year after starting fifth.
It could be even more interesting this year, as for the first time in donkeys' years F1 didn't conduct a pre-season test here, so the teams are arriving cold, with a whole load of new tech and a raft of upgrades to sort out.
The Circuit de Catalunya is a demanding mix of corner types as well, from the fast, sweeping and long Turn 3 to a load of technically tricky slow stuff at the end of the lap. It means that it's ranked as the most representative track on the calendar, because of the nature of the circuit a car that works well here is likely to work well anywhere. It's also the place where teams traditionally bring their first major upgrade of the season, and that usually means there's a little bit of a shuffling of the pack here. It's a good place to see how the pecking order will shape up for the next few months.
About Infiniti
Infiniti Motor Company Ltd. is headquartered in Hong Kong with sales operations in approximately 50 countries. The Infiniti brand was launched in 1989. Its range of premium automobiles is currently built in manufacturing facilities in Japan and the United States. Production in China and Europe will start soon along with the expansion of the brand's portfolio.
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As the Title Partner and Vehicle Performance Partner of Infiniti Red Bull Racing, Infiniti has a far-reaching technical collaboration with the Formula One team, and Sebastian Vettel, its four-time World Champion driver, serves as Infiniti's Director of Performance. More information about Infiniti, its Total Ownership Experience® and its industry leading technologies can be found at www.infiniti.com. For the latest news on Infiniti, visit InfinitiNews.com, 'like' Infiniti on Facebook or follow the brand on Twitter @InfinitiUSA. For interesting content on Infiniti in Formula One visit: www.infiniti-gp.com, www.youtube.com/InfinitiGP or follow on Twitter @InfinitiGP. About Infiniti in Formula One Infiniti, the premium automotive brand, starts the 2013 season as Title Partner and Vehicle Performance Partner of Infiniti Red Bull Racing. With a deepened technical collaboration across people, process and technologies, an 'open door' approach is enabling both sides to access a pool of innovation, new technologies and R&D resources in the shared pursuit of precision and performance. Since the partnership's inception in 2011 it has already seen the launch of the Infiniti FX Vettel Edition and product development input from Sebastian Vettel and test driver Sebastien Buemi for the all-new Infiniti Q50 premium sports saloon. Infiniti continues to be the most visible automotive brand in Formula One, and the deepened partnership will ensure closer alignment on an increasing number of future team collaborations. For interesting content on Infiniti in Formula One visit: www.infiniti-gp.com, www.youtube.com/InfinitiGP or follow on Twitter @InfinitiGP.
