Formula 1

Daniil Kvyat: “It’s my home race and that gives me an extra boost”

2 Mins read

The Red Bull Racing team enjoyed a boost in performance at the 2016 Chinese Grand Prix, bringing the cars home in third and fourth position, and looking like they were back in contention to pose a serious challenge again this season. Daniil Kvyat scored his first podium finish of the year, and the Russian is hopeful of going even better on home soil.

“I’m very excited to get back to Russia for the Grand Prix. It’s an important race for me and it’s nice to see my family and friends and all the fans who come to support me and the team in Sochi. I can’t wait!

“I think Turn 4 is the nicest corner, and it’s also the grandstand named after me. I see my face on that corner often during the race, and that support is really nice. Any time I want to say something cool I say: I have a grandstand named after me!

“It will be a hectic week and thinking about Daniel’s busy week in Australia it’s a bit of a payback for me in a way. In the end it’s my home race and that gives me an extra boost as well. It’s very nice to have a home race. It’s very special for every driver so I think I’m very lucky to have one.”

Team-mate Daniel Ricciardo is equally buoyant ahead of the 2016 Russian Grand Prix, after an epic comeback race from the Australian in China, saw him bring the Red Bull home in fourth position, despite suffering a puncture in the early stages of the race. The 26-year-old is looking forward to getting on track at the Sochi Autodrom, after such a strong performance at the Shanghai International Circuit in the last round of the 2016 Formula One World Championship.

“I think the track hasn’t suited us in the last two years, but we’ve had some strong races so far this year on circuits we didn’t think suited us either so let’s see what happens. In the past it’s been quite a low grip. It got a bit better last year but it’s still quite slippery and because there is not that much tyre wear we haven’t done many pit stops in the past.

“There is not much camber change which you get on a lot of tracks. Also the corners are very flat and because of that quite unique. I’m looking forward to going back.”

Red Bull will be hoping that the pace and strength they showed in China, will be prevalent when they hit the track in Russia, and if that is the case the Scuderia Ferrari squad and possibly even the Mercedes AMG PETRONAS team will need to be on their guard.

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