Fisichella impressed by Istanbul circuit

Renault's Giancarlo Fisichella has had his first look at the Istanbul Park circuit -- and it has left him impressed...

Q: Giancarlo, have you seen the circuit now?

Giancarlo Fisichella.

Photo by xpb.cc.

Giancarlo Fisichella: Yes, it looked pretty challenging -- very wide , so we can use some different lines, and with some good quick corners as well. I did two laps on a scooter too, so I have a good feel for the quickest way through the turns.

Q: Will it be a circuit the drivers enjoy?

GF: I think so, yes. It will be quite difficult to learn it well, because the width means you can take the corners in a number of different ways, so that will be another challenge for us. The ups and downs are unusual too, so it should be fun to drive.

Q: And should we expect to see any overtaking?

GF: That is definitely possible -- there are some good chances into turn 1, and then turn 12 as well, at the end of the back straight.

Q: What about tomorrow morning -- how will you learn the circuit?

GF: We will start with a few laps at fairly slow speed, not pushing to the limit just to learn the lines, and then after that I can start braking later and later to find the limit all the way round the lap.

Q: Are you worried after the performance in Hungary?

GF: No, I think we made a wrong choice with the tyres and that meant we were slow. But the car is still quick, and very competitive, so I am feeling confident.

Q: Will Istanbul suit the R25?

GF: Yes, it should do. We have had some problems this year at circuits where the rear tyres have been worked very hard, but here, the characteristics of the corners make it quite hard for the fronts -- especially the long left-hander at turn 8. That may turn out to be a good thing for us...

-renault-