Formula1.com - Latest Interviews

Japanese Grand Prix debrief with Toyota's Jarno Trulli

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 08:42:00 GMT

With Fernando Alonso clinching his second consecutive victory at the Japanese Grand Prix, Toyota have a mountain to climb if they are to overcome their 16-point deficit to the French team and reclaim fourth place in the constructors' championship. Following his fifth-place finish at the Fuji race, however, driver Jarno Trulli believes the car has enough performance to help the team finish the season on a high. Here he reviews his race in Japan...

A race weekend with Heikki Kovalainen

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 08:22:00 GMT

Last year, Heikki Kovalainen enjoyed his best result of the season at the Japanese Grand Prix. On Sunday, however, Kovalainen was unable to repeat his second-place 2007 finish, after an engine failure relegated him to the sidelines. Despite this disappointment, the Fuji Speedway remains a firm favourite with the McLaren driver and we caught up with him to find out about his Japanese event, and discover a little more about how he likes to spend his time 'in the office' over a race weekend

Bob Bell Q&A: Fuji win a fantastic reward for Renault

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 14:34:00 GMT

When Renault's Fernando Alonso won the last round in Singapore many labelled his victory fortuitous. When he did it again in Japan, even the cynics had to applaud the French team's progress. Luck may have again played a part, but a glance at the lap chart shows only the Ferraris went quicker around Fuji Speedway on Sunday afternoon. Renault's technical director, Bob Bell, looks back on the team's outstanding performance...

Exclusive Rosberg Q&A: Williams hoping for rain at Fuji

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 11:27:00 GMT

One of the biggest surprises at the last round in Singapore was Nico Rosberg's second place, not least because he was able to take a stop-and-go penalty and still keep his Williams on the podium. After that career-best finish, the young German is confident he can continue his run of good fortune at the Fuji Speedway this weekend - as long as it rains

Toyota's Pascal Vasselon on Fuji Speedway set-up

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 08:03:00 GMT

If variety is the spice and life, then the Fuji Speedway is a particularly lively Formula One circuit. With a unique combination of slow, medium and high-speed corners, as well as its 1.5-kilometre straight, the Japanese track is a demanding place to drive. Here Toyota's senior general manager (chassis), Pascal Vasselon, explains the team's preparations for this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix

Vijay Mallya Q&A: Force India out to build on strong foundations

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 12:58:00 GMT

It's been almost a year since Indian billionaire Vijay Mallya bought Spyker. In that time the rebranded Force India team have experienced the ups and downs of competing in the world's toughest - and most glamorous - motorsport category. Mallya reflects on the past year and reveals his hopes for the future

Fisichella exclusive: 'special conditions' needed to score in '08

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:39:00 GMT

When the Indian guests in the Formula One Paddock Club at Singapore's Marina Bay circuit saw Force India's Giancarlo Fisichella running in P2, pandemonium broke out, with fans jumping on tables, clapping hands, screaming and laughing - it didn't matter that Fisichella could retain the position only briefly. And the Italian himself admits that seeing P2 on the pit board brought back many happy memories and reenergised his belief that the team could yet win some points this season

2009 aero changes - Q&A with McLaren's Paddy Lowe

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 10:51:00 GMT

Along with his fellow Overtaking Working Group (OWG) members, McLaren's engineering director Paddy Lowe was one of the men charged with helping the FIA to frame revisions to the 2009 technical regulations, aimed at boosting the amount of overtaking in Formula One racing. We asked him about the Group's findings - and the likely impact of the planned changes

Bob Bell Q&A: Singapore was the boost Renault needed

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 10:34:00 GMT

A few years' back Renault were regulars on the top step of the podium. But since their 2006 world championship the French team have endured a long and disheartening dry spell. In Singapore, however, all that changed with Fernando Alonso sweeping to victory at the Marina Bay circuit. Technical director Bob Bell reviews the race and reveals how the win has already worked wonders in improving the team's morale

A race weekend with Mark Webber

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 08:27:00 GMT

Retiring with gearbox issues wasn't the end to the inaugural Singapore Grand Prix that Red Bull's Mark Webber had wished for. But even though he failed to score any points, Webber enjoyed racing on the Marina Bay circuit so much he can't wait to return next season. We caught up with the Australian driver in Singapore to find out about his typical race weekend and why he can't survive an event without a jar of Vegemite within reach

Q&A with Toyota's Timo Glock

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 13:16:00 GMT

Before the season opener in Melbourne, Toyota's Timo Glock set himself a target of scoring 20 points in 2008. And on Sunday in Singapore, following his fourth-place finish, Glock reached his goal and is now 10th in the championship - just six points adrift of his more experienced team mate Jarno Trulli. Here the German driver reviews his race in Singapore

Singapore debrief with McLaren's Martin Whitmarsh

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 10:47:00 GMT

Lewis Hamilton's third-place finish at the inaugural Singapore Grand Prix saw McLaren reclaim the lead in the constructors' championship from rivals Ferrari. Here, the team's Formula One CEO, Martin Whitmarsh, reflects on the Singapore event, and looks ahead to the final three races of the season

Flavio Briatore Q&A - victory doesn't guarantee Alonso will stay

Sun, 28 Sep 2008 22:13:00 GMT

The Singapore Grand Prix was Renault's race of the season. That much is clear. Not only was it the first night race in Formula One history, but it proved to be a thriller - with no end of suspense and drama. No one could have anticipated Fernando Alonso walking away with the winner's trophy after starting 15th on the grid, but the Spaniard did it. We caught up with team principal, Flavio Briatore, to get his reaction to his team's first victory since 2006

Exclusive Gerhard Berger Q&A - Toro Rosso can finish sixth

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 16:08:00 GMT

Toro Rosso's Monza victory came out of the blue. The team's enhanced level of performance has been clear to see over the last couple of races, but nobody expected it to pave the way to the top step of the podium - not even Gerhard Berger's, the squad's co-owner. In Singapore Berger is enthusiastic about the sensational setting, but fears the new street circuit doesn't match the characteristics of the STR3. Could he just be bluffing, hoping to spring another surprise?

Mario Theissen Q&A: Singapore to be season highlight

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:48:00 GMT

BMW Sauber might have endured a bit of a tough time lately, but with strong performances at the Belgian and Italian races, all seems back on track for this season's third-fastest team. BMW Motorsport director Mario Theissen looks ahead to this weekend's Singapore event, considers the possible effects of the economic slump on Formula One racing, and refuses to reveal his '09 driver line-up