Gillan: Brazil a balancing act

Wednesday 21st November 2012

Gillan: Brazil a balancing act

Gillan: Brazil a balancing act

Williams' chief operations engineer Mark Gillan admits that success at Interlagos is all about finding the right balance.

The testing ups and down of the track combined with it's bumpy surface and low speed corners makes it a circuit that many drivers love but that can be a challenge to prepare for.

"The 71 lap long high altitude Interlagos circuit is one of the highlights of the season and one where overtaking is possible," explained Gillan.

"Setting the car up for this circuit is the classic compromise between pandering to the high downforce requirements of the medium-low speed corners in sector 2 versus the low drag demands of the uphill section from the important T12 exit right up to the start-finish line."

For the second race on the trot both Williams drivers scored points in Austin and Gillan is hopefully of making it a hat-trick of points-scoring finishes.

"After a double points finish in Austin, we will be looking for a similar result here to end the season on a high note," he said.

Williams should have plenty of support in Brazil as it is Bruno Senna's home race and his team-mate Pastor Maldonado from neighbouring Venezuela.

"The Brazilian Grand Prix is very special and there's no better place to finish the season," said Maldonado.

"The atmosphere is very Latin American and the fans are some of the most passionate and knowledgeable in the world. It's also close to Venezuela so I always see lots of Venezuelan flags around the track and lots of Venezuelan people around Sao Paolo so it feels a bit like a home Grand Prix."

Senna added: "I've only had the chance to race at home in Formula One twice, but on both occasions the crowd gave me an extra boost. Interlagos is a circuit that most drivers like. It's very technical and difficult to get the most out of it so leads to some exciting racing."

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