Sam Michael, Technical Director: I’m sure Korea is going to present some surprises. We certainly expect the track surface to be quite low grip because it’s only recently been laid. We already have basic information on gear ratios and rear wing levels from simulation work, but the other aspects of mechanical and aero set-up will need a lot of quick thinking during Friday practice.
All the teams are in the same position of not knowing the track so it’s an opportunity for us to make the best of a level playing field. Having a new venue on the calendar is always welcome and the team are definitely looking forward to experiencing something different.
Rubens Barrichello: I’m very open minded going to Korea. All I know about the circuit is that there is a long straight and some tight corners, that’s it. We haven’t been able to do much preparation so we will just have to go there and get on with it. I will be walking the circuit on Thursday and will then probably go round it on a moped later. I’ll also be going through any data my engineers may have, but that’s all we can do.
It’ll be the same for everyone; we’ll just learn it as we go along. You know how to drive a Formula One car; you know how to drive fast, so you just hook it up. I’ve never been to Korea before so I don’t know what to expect, but I’m looking forward to seeing the country and finding out what it’s like.
Nico Hülkenberg: Well, I don’t know too much about the track like everybody else, but as a rookie that has had to compete on some other circuits that the drivers know really well, the fact that none of us have completed a lap in Korea makes it a great leveller for me.
Although I don’t expect the overall championship order to be greatly affected, I think we go to this race knowing we have just as much chance as anyone else. And of course it will be a great adventure for us all to discover more about this new Formula One host country and I am looking forward to it immensely.
