Q&A with Spyker’s Sakon Yamamoto 31 Jul 2007
Although the offer of a race seat with Spyker came as something of a shock to Sakon Yamamoto, the Japanese driver can’t wait to make his debut for the Dutch team at the Hungaroring this weekend…
Q: How do you feel to be back in a Formula One racing seat?
Sakon Yamamoto: It was a surprise to get the call from Spyker, but at the same time I was, and still am, really glad to come back to Formula One. Obviously, I haven’t had a normal testing programme this year, but I drove an F1 car in February, and I do not think this will be a problem. I am excited to be back in a race seat.
Q: You have already raced on the circuits you are visiting in the final part of the season. Is this an advantage for you?
SY: I know all the circuits quite well, except Spa-Francorchamps where we didn’t go last year. But last year I was in the situation where I had to learn the circuits and the car very quickly, so I think I will know this one quickly too. I am quite relaxed going to this part of the season.
Q: Which circuits did you enjoy last year and what are you looking forward to this year?
SY: Last year I enjoyed every race, but the ones that were just fantastic were the Japanese Grand Prix, then Brazil. This last race was especially good - I set the seventh quickest lap in the race and then the second quickest sector time in sector two, which we didn’t expect at all! This was a great result for us so I’m looking forward to going to Brazil again.
Q: What are your aims for the remainder of the season?
SY: Of course I would like to be really quick, score points and finish as many races as possible. The target though has got to be to help Spyker score their first points.
Q: Does it feel good to be back? You first got your experience of Formula One racing with the same team.
SY: I tested for the team (although it was a different name then!) back in 2005 and drove a Friday practice session in the Japanese Grand Prix. It’s an advantage as I know some of the engineers and mechanics, so it’s easy to get back into the team.
