Turkey Preview Quotes: Toyota

Ralf Schumacher: "I made a trip to Istanbul earlier this year, so I've already had a chance to see a bit of Turkey. The city was nice, we were very well received and I hope to have more time to see it when I come there this time. But I did not get a chance to visit the Istanbul Otodrom. When you go to a new track you usually spend the first session getting used to it. In this case it's a brand new circuit for everyone, so it's not too much of a problem. Everyone is affected in a similar way. I haven't seen any simulations yet, and the circuit maps are just lines on a page. The fact that this circuit has hills makes things more interesting than usual. The blind corners aren't a big problem but it won't be easy to brake downhill and sometimes you tend to lock up wheels on those kind of circuits. So I will take the scooter round on Thursday just to see which corner comes after which corner. Then you take the car on Friday and do the best you can."

Dieter Gass, Chief Race Engineer: "Before we go to a new track, all the teams receive a computer file with information on the circuit. Then you run some simulations using specialist software. First you determine the likely level of downforce and you establish your gear ratios. Then you have to look more at the detail about what you have to do to the suspension settings and you try to characterise the circuit based on the experience that you have. From there you basically decide which set-up you will start with for the first practice session. On the first visit to a new circuit you can see some differences between the way teams run on Friday morning. For example in China last year we made the right conclusions and that made a difference. To us, Istanbul looks like a fairly typical medium downforce circuit, like many others on the calendar. But you need to verify that the simulations you've done are correct when the cars start running. Of course, this is a completely new track so the surface will have no grip at the beginning and it will be difficult to draw conclusions on the first day. But you still have to make the tyre choice in the evening, as always. At a new circuit you need to be very quick with your reactions. Everything becomes more challenging, but that makes things interesting."