SILVERSTONE PREVIEW

This year the British Grand Prix at Silverstone presents a greater challenge for the team than it did a year ago.  With four races in five weeks, the schedule has been extremely tight and, coming back-to-back with the French GP, the logistics of ensuring that the right equipment is in the right place creates a number of headaches.

As a Japanese team based in the UK, we are fortunate to have two ‘home’ races each year.  While our main fan base is in Japan, the vast majority of the team and their families are British.  Our Leafield factory is also close to Silverstone, which means that we have some extra support if it is needed.  For example, last year Takuma had an accident during a practice session which caused quite a lot of damage to his car.  Being so close to the circuit, the factory managed to repair the car and have it back at the circuit overnight.

For me personally, Silverstone gives me the chance to catch up on family life, albeit in a very limited way.  I actually live closer to Silverstone than I do the factory, so where it would normally take me one and a half hours to travel from home to Leafield, Silverstone means I can be at work within 35 minutes.  During this race week I commute on my motorbike which allows me to both beat the traffic and park in the paddock car park.  After the race on Sunday, when everything is packed, I can be at home that night.  No hotels, no flights, no hanging around at airports and no travelling on uncomfortable buses.  Bliss!

There has been a lot talk in the press recently about Mr Ecclestone’s displeasure with Silverstone.  If you have ever seen the facilities at the purpose built circuits such as those in Malaysia or China then it is obvious that Silverstone does not fit in too well with the modern F1 circus.  The garages are very cramped as is the paddock and transport access, while much better than in the past, is still not very good. Having said that, the atmosphere at the older, traditional racing circuits is so much better than it is at anything such as Bahrain, for example.  The crowds are extremely knowledgeable and passionate about their sport.  The current hype about Lewis Hamilton sweeping the British press means that the attendance figures are likely to be up on previous years and, with Anthony as one of four British drivers on the grid, Super Aguri is likely to get some of that increased attention.  If we could have the facilities and access of China combined with the atmosphere and history of Silverstone, not to mention how to close it is to my home, we would have my perfect place to work. 

The other factor that can easily influence the outcome at Silverstone is the good old British weather!  Unpredictable at the best of times, the British summer is known for producing rain clouds when they are least wanted.  This presents extra work for the race engineers as they have to come up with their cunning strategies to react to any weather changes.  A wet race always makes for some excitement and serves to level the playing field slightly. 

So, what are my predictions for the British Grand Prix?  How about a wet race, with Lewis Hamilton in first place and Anthony next to him on the podium, scoring his first points?  Sounds good to me!