News: A MATTER OF OPINION

"The first sector of the circuit is the best sector on the whole F1™ calendar - lots of fast bits that require maximum commitment“ - this was Heikki’s opinion of the English track, well at least before the first two practice sessions in Silverstone 2010. Having completed the practice Heikki’s opinion changed a bit – he was not too excited about the new layout. “The new layout is nothing like the old circuit – now it feels like it’s pretty straightforward. It’s quite bumpy, and the corners are pretty simple, not like the old circuit where you got on the throttle and could find a really good line through the corners. I have no problem with the circuit, I just preferred the old one.“ Heikki was was in the minority, and it is interesting that usually it is the motobike riders who moan about a new track layout, but even they did not moan when they raced in Silverstone back in June.

 

On the plus side however, there where thousands of fans around the track even though it was only a practice Friday. “The fans are always fantastic at Silverstone. You can see from the campsites all around the area that they are big followers and they are always really nice and friendly. The Classic Team Lotus Festival at Snetterton really showed just how much support the British people give us so it’s going to be great to race on home soil and see a lot of Lotus Racing flags waving in the grandstands!”

 

The Finn managed his almost regular position with P19 in both morning and afternoon and a best lap of 1:35.465 while the best time of the day was set by Mark Webber with 1:31.2. “It felt fine out there today. I had just one problem at the end with the power steering (note: hydraulics), but that was the only issue with my car. I’m not sure this circuit suits our car as well as it does with some of the top cars, but compared to the other new teams I think we’re in good shape.“

 

(c) Jule Krause