The Bridgestone-supported GP2 Series heads to the Hungarian circuit of the Hungaroring for theseventh round of the 2008 GP2 Series. This circuit, located just outside the city of Budapest, features atight and technical mix of corners over its 4.38 kms. Racing Engineering driver Javier Villa comes toHungary with two full GP2 Series seasons under his belt. Last year at the Hungaroring he won theSprint race so he knows his way around this track. Here he answers the following questions:
This is your third season in the GP2 Series what is your aim for 2008?
Javier Villa: We feel very strong this year and for me it’s also the strongest year of Racing Engineering. I feel wehave many chances to fight for races, but still I have suffered from problems on several occasions andhope to overcome these soon and be in the place I should be.
How would you describe the Hungaroring?
Javier Villa: It’s a track where last year we were very quick. It has a section in the middle where there are manycurves following each other, where the driver and the car have to work very hard and because of all theups and downs it also complicates not only the braking, but also the traction.
What’s the secret to a quick lap here?
Javier Villa: A fast lap is never easy, but at this track it’s special as you feel you are much more on the limit thannormal. Most probably due to the constant work you have with the car.
How should you use your tyres for a fast qualifying lap?
Javier Villa: It’s important to warm them up properly and take advantage of the first laps as they always require a bitof time to warm up.
What do you need to consider for your race strategy in terms of tyre management and pit stops?
Javier Villa: This is difficult in GP2 as we cannot play with the fuel load in regards to the weight and therefore it’smainly influenced by the race situations and the position you are racing in. Of course we are working onthe strategy and take many factors into consideration, but in the end we have to be flexible in order totake advantage of unexpected situations in the race.
You scored one of your sprint race wins last year at the Hungaroring - how good are yourmemories of this event from last season?
Javier Villa: Obviously these are very nice memories. From the first lap, Adam Carroll, winner of the Saturday race,was right behind me and although he pushed hard, I was able to keep him behind me. It was a sweetvictory as we were fighting all race long, and this makes a race win much more exciting.
| 
|