31/07/2007
NEWS STORY
How do you feel to be back racing in Formula 1?
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 1. 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.
You have already raced on the circuits we are visiting in the final part of the season. Is this an advantage for you?
SY: 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.
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 7th 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.
What will be 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.
Does it feel familiar to be back? You first got your experience of F1 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.