Kamui Kobayashi finished tenth for Sauber last year at Interlagos - Photo Credit: Sauber Motorsport AG
Sauber head to Brazil next weekend still harbouring ambitions of overtaking Force India in the constructors’ championship and securing a valuable sixth place in the standings.
However, the team from Hinwil, Switzerland, will struggle to overturn the current fifteen points deficit to the team ahead, and are instead more likely to be defending seventh place from a charging Toro Rosso, who are just one point behind them.
Kamui Kobayashi has finished in the top ten in both of the races he has started at Interlagos, one of those his debut race in 2009. The Japanese driver understandably labels this track as one of his favourites and is very much looking forward to this final race of the season.
“Sao Paulo is one of my favorite tracks with a nice combination of high speed and low speed corners,” he said. “Overall, the track layout with its long uphill straight is very nice. The most thrilling aspect of the Brazilian Grand Prix is the fans who are very excited and emotional, and who create a fantastic racing atmosphere.
“For me Sao Paulo is a special place because it was here where I drove my first Formula One race in 2009. I finished ninth and had some good fights on the track. But there's another reason why I like to go to Brazil: it's the Churrascarias with the fantastic meat! Sao Paulo will be the last race of 2011. For our team it has been an exciting season, and I will give my utmost so the team can finish the season with a positive result.”
Team-mate Sergio Perez has never actually been to Brazil before, but he is determined to finish his debut season on a high at Interlagos.
“I have never been to Brazil and I'm very much looking forward to my first visit,” said the Mexican. “Before I fly to Sao Paulo I will spend a few days in Mexico, and I must admit I'm also looking forward to going home. The last time I went back home was during the summer break in August.
“I have heard a lot about Sao Paulo and Interlagos. Apparently it is a great race track and the crowd can get very emotional. I expect them to be a bit like my Mexican fellow countrymen, and am looking forward to the atmosphere passion creates. Of course I have also had some warnings that the city can be a dangerous place.
“It will be the final Grand Prix of my rookie season in Formula One. To me this year feels like three years because so much has happened, including my accident in Monaco. However, I think it was a good season. I learnt a lot and was getting better and better with every race.
“Considering the fact that I had to miss two races in which the car and the team performed very well, I really think I can be happy with what I have achieved so far. Without doubt I am determined to finish this season, which I will personally never forget, on a high.”
