Senna: We should be back in the top 10 here

Bruno, welcome to Suzuka - is this one of your favourite tracks?

Yes, it is one of my favourite tracks. There are a lot of high speed corners which favours me a lot. I’m looking forward to hitting the track tomorrow in a car that should be quite competitive here.

We may be nearing the end of the season, but it’s still quite early in your own season - how have you adapted to your new role?

So far it’s been pretty good. Each race, we’ve been getting better - except perhaps Singapore - and familiarising myself with the car has allowed me to get quicker. These next few races will be a real test for me to extract more from the car and to raise my own game; I hope it will continue to be a positive experience.

What’s been the most rewarding aspect of becoming a race driver for the team?

Driving! I’ve loved having the opportunity of driving a competitive car; it’s been a new experience for me in F1. Being in the top 10 twice, and scoring my first points in only my second race for the team was a great achievement. I hope I can look forward to more.

Looking specifically, what challenges will the Suzuka circuit provide?

It’s a very narrow track by Formula 1 standards. The apex of Turn 1, for instance, is taken at about 300kmh. It’s almost as narrow as Monaco in some parts, which adds real challenges in terms of setting up the car correctly. You need a good front end of the car here, but at the same time you can struggle if the balance is weak so it’s a real balancing act. Tyre wear will also be a concern here, so that will play a key part.

Do you think Suzuka will suit the R31 well?

I think so. We should be back where we were in Spa and Monza. It will be interesting to see how the car does at this high speed track, and we should be back in the top 10 again.

Source Lotus Renault GP