In the 2013 Japanese Grand Prix, Lotus driver Romain Grosjean finished on the podium in third position. This result was tied for his highest finish last year, and he’ll be looking to do it again come next Sunday.
Grosjean currently sits in 14th place in the championship standings, just 11 points behind Toto Rosso driver Jean-Eric Vergne. A good result in Japan this weekend could see him inch even closer to the top ten with just five races left on the 2014 calendar. If there was a good track for Grosjean to take a jump in the standings, it’s Suzuka.
“Suzuka is probably my favorite track in the world and for many, many reasons. But mainly I love it so much because the track is a massive challenge and also the spectators are so passionate about F1. There is not a single corner on the track that is not a big challenge.”
Qualifying has also been a point of success for the 28 year old Swiss driver, with 4th place starts the last two years.
“It is the kind of track that you find time and improvements, however small, all of the time. It is a very special race track in this respect.”
Suzuka is one of the toughest tracks on the calendar in Formula 1, with it’s 18 turns and little run-off area, there is no room for driver error during the race.
“There is no margin for error with very little run-off area and the track is quite narrow, especially at the top of the hill. I love it. Every meter of the Suzuka track is special and every meter a challenge.”
Grosjean also commented on just how hard is is to overtake at Suzuka, saying “There are a few good areas [for overtaking] like the first corner, but only if you get a good exit from the last chicane.“
“But probably the best one is in to the chicane itself, after the long back straight and 130R. If you get a tow here you can get inside under braking.”
“There is also a small chance at the hairpin and maybe in to Spoon Curve too, but you have to be brave and usually rely on the guy in front to co-operate.”
Grosjean also added, “Suzuka is quite a narrow track so it is not that easy to overtake, but it is a great challenge and very satisfying when you manage to execute one.”
Do you think Romain Grosjean will be able to bust into the top ten again this year at Suzuka? Let us know your race predictions and result below.
All quotes were from Romain Grosjean, and obtained from F1.com
The Single Seater 