Nurburgring's Q&A with Pastor Maldonado
Posted on Friday 22 Jul 2011
The rain is already falling at the Nurburgring, but that hasn’t put off AT&T Williams rookie Pastor Maldonado. He’s relishing the opportunity to race at one of the most iconic circuits in the world.
Pastor, what are your thoughts ahead of the German Grand Prix?
PM: It’s going to be a very tough weekend, not least because the weather looks very tricky. It was wet on Thursday and our forecast is for changeable conditions for the next three days. The forecasts vary quite a lot, depending on who you listen to, but that’s typical of the Nurburgring.
Do you prefer racing in the wet of the dry?
PM: I don’t mind, as long as it’s one or the other! The problem with changeable conditions is that it’s easy to get caught out and we must be ready for whatever conditions are thrown our way. It will be the same for everybody, but we must work harder than everyone else to ensure we’re in a better position.
What can you tell us about the upgrades AT&T Williams are bringing here?
PM: We have a new rear wing and a new front wing. The rear wing is the biggest change and I hope we’ll gain more downforce from it. We don’t run maximum downforce here, but something close to that and so efficient downforce is very important.
Do you like the track?
PM: I really like it because it’s very technical, especially the first sector. You have to be very precise through there. The second sector is very quick and then you’re back to some slow corners again in the last sector. There’s a lot to think about and you have to think hard about when to deploy KERS because it’s easy to lose time if you use it at the wrong moment.
Will overtaking be possible?
PM: The DRS zone is before the last chicane, where we have a very heavy braking zone. There will be lots of passing into there, I’m sure.
Have you ever driven around the infamous Nordschleife?
PM: I drove around it a few years ago in a rental car. It was a Seat; well, it was a Seat before I completed the lap! Afterwards, the car was completely finished! It’s a completely amazing circuit and it’s unbelievable to think that F1 cars used to race around it. It’s narrow, bumpy and there are a lot of corners!
Finally, what do you think is a realistic result on Sunday?
PM: I want to finish in the points!
Credit: Williams F1 (www.williamsf1.com)
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