Alex Albon will be hoping for a better weekend at the Suzuka International Racing Course than last time round in Singapore, where the Williams Racing team finished with a double retirement as both drivers crashed out of the race.
Albon started the race at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in nineteenth, only ahead of his team-mate Nicholas Latifi. The Singapore Grand Prix has a reputation for being one of the most gruelling and intense races of the season and it showed, with six DNFs last time round including four Safety Cars and one Virtual Safety Car. Two of these were caused by both Williams drivers, as they now look ahead on improving their performance at the Japanese Grand Prix.
Albon has a positive attitude coming into this weekend’s race on it’s return to Suzuka after a three-year absence, with the belief that the FW44 will be more suited to this track compared to Singapore. Albon also expressed his love of Japan and is looking forward to driving around one of his favourite circuit’s again.
“Japan is one of my favourite circuits on the calendar and I really enjoy Suzuka as a place. I think this track will suit our car a lot more than Singapore however, I think with the weather looking a bit up and down, it should make for an interesting weekend.
“I’m very excited to be heading back to Japan as it’s one of my favourite places for racing as well as to visit, so let’s see what we can do.”
Nicholas Latifi: “It’s always very exciting to learn new tracks”
Latifi will also be looking to put in a better performance at the Japanese Grand Prix, after a disappointing retirement last time round at Singapore.
It was announced last month that Latifi would no longer be in F1 next season, after losing his seat for 2023. We don’t know as of yet who will be replacing the Canadian driver and with only five races to go this season, Latifi will be hoping that he can finally score some points as he is one of only two drivers this season. alongside Nico Hulkenberg, that has been unable to score points.
Latifi is looking forward to driving around Suzuka for the first time in his F1 career and in front of the Japanese fans. The Canadian driver believes the hardcore old school circuit will be fast flowing in certain sections, with no margin for error.
“Japan is one of the tracks I’m most looking forward to driving on the calendar. Besides Singapore it’s now the last one that I’m still yet to experience as a Formula 1 driver and I haven’t driven it in any other category. It’s always very exciting to learn new tracks and especially coming to a track like Suzuka which is a hardcore old school circuit.
“It definitely looks like a layout I will enjoy with it being fast and flowing in certain sections with little margin for error. I’m looking forward to getting on track and experiencing the unique and passionate atmosphere that the Japanese fans bring.”
