Romain Grosjean believes the Brazilian Grand Prix is a pretty intense challenge, with warm and humid weather conditions and a tough circuit.
The Haas F1 Team driver had a difficult Mexican Grand Prix, where he finished in twentieth. After finishing in the points at the United States Grand Prix the weekend before, this is a disappointing result. Grosjean was unable to make forward progress, after experiencing lack of downforce, combined with the slippery track surface.
Prior to the 2014 race at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace the track was resurfaced. The Frenchman is unsure if the track surface will be different with another year of weathering. Grosjean expected the surface at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico to change but it did not.
“We were expecting Mexico to have changed from one year to the next one, but it did not,” said Grosjean. “Brazil stayed pretty consistent between 2014 and 2015.
“They changed the curbs in 2015, which was a bit of a shame, especially at Interlagos where you have those massive green and white curbs. You really used them a lot with the car, and that’s not the case anymore. That’s cost a little bit of the spirit of the track but, nonetheless, it’s a great track to drive.”
The Brazilian circuit is a very physical track, along with the heat often playing a role in the performance of the car and the driver. Grosjean admits the track is pretty tough, with it’s challenging weather, but this is what the team are looking for.
“It’s a pretty tough track with not much opportunity for a rest,” added Grosjean. “Even in the straight lines you can’t rest as much as you would like.
“You’re at altitude as well, at 800 meters (2,625 feet), so coming from Mexico that’s nothing, but you’re still not at sea level. The weather can be challenging. It can be very warm and humid. It’s a pretty intense challenge but, at the end of the day, that’s what we’re looking for.”
