Formula One news

Yamamoto rues wrong tyre choice

Sakon Yamamoto has blamed a poor tyre choice for his disappointing race in China last week. The Japanese driver heads into the last round of the 2007 season hoping to stake his claim to a full-time drive in 2008.

"For the first couple of laps I drove to take care of the tyres, because the track conditions were only good for standard wets, and the amount of water wasn't enough for extreme tyres<" said Yamamoto. "I just felt that I had to keep the tyre condition good, because if you use them too hard, then after that you lose the value of choosing the extreme tyres in the first place. The situation was difficult, the rain didn't come, and we changed to the standard wets. At that time the race was basically finished for us in terms of competitiveness, so I just decided just to finish the race as well as possible. The car balance was quite understeery, and it was very difficult to drive, but at the end of the race I did some good lap times, and getting another finish was a plus."

"Brazil is one of my favourite circuits, and I want to do a really good race there," he added. "Last year my car wasn't really great, so in that kind of situation it was an amazing result that we could be seventh quickest in the race, and also I was second quickest in the second sector. So I'm really looking forward to driving there."

more news

• 11 Oct.
  • Toyota team make it into top ten
  • Massa laments lack of grip
  • Hamilton happy on pole
  • Hamilton takes Japanese pole
  • Photos: Saturday at Fuji
  • Kubica on top in wet free practice
• 10 Oct.
  • Bridgestone expects grip to improve during the weekend
  • Buemi to steer medical car
  • Trouble-free day for McLaren
  • Positive day for Toro Rosso
  • Webber gives Red Bull hope
  • Mixed Friday for BMW
  • Force India upbeat after practice
  • Honda looking for more pace
  • Ferrari happy with Friday progress
  • Government will try and safe Canadian Grand Prix
  • Strong start for Toyota at home track
  • Renault shows encouraging pace at Fuji
  • Nakajima enjoys first day at Fuji Speedway
  • Glock fastest on Friday
  • Photos: Friday at Fuji
  • Hamilton leads first practice in Japan
  • Nakajima pleased with his first F1 season so far
  • Barrichello's advise to Senna: Do not join Honda!
• 09 Oct.
  • Massa focused ahead of vital race weekend
  • Raikkonen hoping for better
  • Button still waiting for Honda's driver decision
  • Canadian GP dropped due to a 'commercial disagreement'
  • New engine for Glock
  • F1 drivers: It's a shame to see Canada go
  • Ecclestone outlines dramatic F1 engine plans
  • Hamilton: I'm stronger and in a better position
  • Alonso: BMW was never a serious option
  • Photos: Thursday at Fuji
  • Japanese Grand Prix technical preview
• 08 Oct.
  • Bridgestone to introduce green tyres in Japan
  • Senna hopes to join Toro Rosso or Honda
  • Di Resta to test McLaren at Silverstone
  • Canadian GP organisers surprised with FIA's decision
  • Ferrari boss eyes maximum points in Japan

Homepage