Ready to Spa – Q&A with Daniel Ricciardo
Spa is so iconic. I think everyone knows why it’s a great place to race and one of the jewels in the Formula 1 crown. Nowadays, I actually get more of a thrill from racing there rather than in qualifying. We’ve done so many laps there in the high-downforce cars that a bit of that single-lap rush has gone. Eau Rouge is full throttle and in race trim with a big tank of fuel in someone’s slipstream, it becomes a real corner where you’re sliding on four wheels, which is pretty epic. There’s also Pouhon and Blanchimont, which are not that easy in race conditions. It’s a place where you can overtake, you can defend and it’s high-speed racing. It’s so intense and I really like it.
What is your record like there?
It’s been a good track for me in Formula 1: I’ve had podiums, a win, so it’s been a successful one in the past. Last year we were having a strong weekend, but then took some damage in Turn 1. The year before I also had damage at Turn 1. Really, if you can get out of Turn 1, you’re doing alright! It’s one of those first corner hairpins where it’s a recipe for chaos. This year it might be cleaner as we’re not coming off a break, we’re warmed up so hopefully it will be more straightforward.
How are you feeling with the triple-headers?
It’s strange actually as you’re the most race fit you’ve been because you’re in the car so much. In the car I feel as strong as I ever have. It’s the days off when you feel it. In between races, you feel flatter and more fatigued and there’s not a whole lot of training going on. It’s really resting and recovering. We’re driving so regularly our body is maintaining a lot of that race fitness.
Special memories – Q&A with Esteban Ocon
It’s a demanding circuit for performance and the three sectors are all very special. I think we can perform well in Spa. Anything can happen in the race, so it’ll be an interesting weekend and we’ll aim to do our best.
It’s been a special place for you in the past, Formula 1 debut in 2016, top three in qualifying in 2018, what do you remember about those moments?
I made my debut in Formula 1 there, so Spa is full of nice memories. I would say it’s a unique track in the way you can develop as a driver. I remember being there in my first year in single-seaters and everything felt so big with those legendary corners. Then, the more you go through the junior categories you feel the difference year after year until you reach Formula 1. It felt like a good track to make my Formula 1 debut! Of course, qualifying third on the grid is one of my best memories in Formula 1 so far. It was at a crucial time when I needed to prove I deserved to be in Formula 1. To stand in the top three with Lewis [Hamilton] and Sebastian [Vettel] was something special.
How do you evaluate the past three races?
It was good to come away from the races with points scored, even though we missed out in Spain. The car felt good in Silverstone and we definitely made a step from Hungary. I think we have a bit of work to do, but I know we’ll get there. I have new parts on my car, which should help performance. I’m looking forward to that and I feel fresh after a week off and ready to race.