SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium – Renault Sport F1 team principal Fred Vasseur evaluates the good and the bad of Hockenheim and looks forward to the second part of the year, which starts in Spa-Francorchamps.
Q1: Did you take anything positive away from the German Grand Prix?
Vasseur: The team is now in a period where we are moving forward. In the German race, we fought with Haas and Toro Rosso, which shows our overall level has improved. However, we made an error in strategy which cost one or two places. We made two stops, which was not an issue, but we did the two stops at the wrong time. Nevertheless there were some strong positives – we got to Q2 with Jo and punched above our weight in the race. We now need to keep fighting with the same competition and adapt our strategy moving forward.
Q2: What would you like to see from the team in the second part of the season?
Vasseur: If you look at the last two or three events, we are improving but we need to be focused on the smaller details. We need to look at set-up and strategy and make sure we are doing a better job compared to the last events. We also need to understand tire management a bit better. Over the last two or three races, we have looked at it a lot and we have a much better understanding now, so we need to keep on with this trajectory. We are improving on the grid, but if you look at race pace, we are always better off than in qualifying. This means we need to get more from the Saturday situation. We are going in the right direction but we need to find two or three tenths, and it is in the smaller details we need to improve and find it.
Q3: When can we expect a decision on the 2017 line-up?
Vasseur: This is a question we will get asked until we announce the drivers, and maybe even afterwards. At the moment, our focus is to keep getting the best from the car. We have two drivers who are motivated, so the second part of the year is to keep track of expectations and see where we are. In reality, we won't take any decision before September for sure; we have no time. It is up to us and we will take a decision when we are ready.
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Back in the zone - Q&A with Jolyon Palmer
Jolyon Palmer discusses his summer holidays and looks forward to the high-speed challenges of Spa-Francorchamps. Like any typical Brit, he also chats weather.
Q1: Good to see you Jo. What did you get up to over the summer?
Palmer: I had a week of holiday in Corfu with some friends. It was fun to have a week off to do what I wanted. Then I had two weeks to get back in the zone.
Q2: What were your thoughts on Spa when you first encountered its flowing corners and long straights?
Palmer: When I first drove it, I thought it was incredible. The first thing that hits you is Eau Rouge. It's just awesome. You see it on TV, or on the on-boards or on the Xbox, but it is even better the first time you drive it. Nothing prepares you for heading flat out down the hill and then coming up the other side and down that straight. In the dry we are now easily flat, maybe just slightly under with high fuel in the race, but it's a real corner.
Q3: Any other corners that grab your attention?
Palmer: The whole circuit feels very flowing, and you can appreciate the size of it. Pouhon is a very quick double apex left, and it is probably the biggest challenge now. It also goes downhill so you pick up so much speed – even with the run off, if you get it wrong you'll be off. Blanchimont is now easy flat but leads into the Bus Stop chicane, which is a great overtaking place when you scream round at the end of a fast lap. It's very easy to get wrong, but hard to get right.
Q4: How have you fared in your races in Spa?
Palmer: I actually won my first race at Spa, which was in Formula Palmer Audi. I remember it was wet – as always for Spa. I've had podiums in GP2 since but have always missed a win somewhere. I also started on the front row last time I went there. I've had some good memories, but I'm eager to make some more.
Q5: What do you need to do well in Spa?
Palmer: Qualifying is important, but in the race overtaking is easier than at other races. The biggest thing is to keep one eye on the weather as you always need to be on the right tires at the right time. If you get caught out, it's such a long lap that it can take you two minutes to get back to the pits and change tires, by which time you would have lost so many positions.
Q6: Would you have liked to drive the old circuit at Spa?
Palmer: I would absolutely love to look round some of the old tracks like Spa and the Nordschleife and have a drive. I have seen old videos of the races there. Each circuit is unique and incredibly high speed; I don't think people liked going slowly back then.
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