Naoki Yamamoto, Toro Rosso, Suzuka, 2019

Yamamoto pleased he was quick enough to gain useful data

2019 Japanese Grand Prix

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F1 newcomer Naoki Yamamoto was pleased to be quick enough in his first session for Toro Rosso to provide useful data for the team.

However the Japanese Super Formula and Super GT champion had to adjust to seeing his name near the bottom of the times after ending first practice in 17th place behind team mate Daniil Kvyat.

“I’m not too much satisfied because I’m a racing driver,” he said. “This position is not good.

“My target every time is [the] top but Formula 1 is difficult because each car is different performance.

“But finally I think [the] gap was close between Danny and me. This is this is a positive point for me and also the team because if too big [a] gap compared to the team mate my information is not good information for the team.”

He ended second practice one tenth of a second slower than Kvyat. “This is not big so maybe [some] data can be used for FP1 this weekend,” said Yamamoto.

The performance of the Toro Rosso’s Honda engine made a big impression on Yamamoto.

“The power is amazing,” he said. “I’m very surprised. I never felt power [like it]. So this is the biggest different point between Super Formula and Super GT.”

“The car balance is a little bit understeer, especially the middle of high-speed corners,” Yamamoto added. “But [on] the other hand low-speed corners was a little bit tricky here on rear grip.”

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3 comments on “Yamamoto pleased he was quick enough to gain useful data”

  1. 1/10th slower than Daniil with his F1 experience is quite impressive.

    1. *coughs* Kvyat ran a harder tyre.

      But I do agree, he was pretty impressive.

  2. The car looked quite understeery. I wonder if str were afraid naoki was going to bin the thing.

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