Toro Rosso: US & Mexican F1 Grand Prix preview
It's time for the second pair of back-to-back races of the month – we're off to Texas and Mexico!
We joined another of Carlos and Daniil's fun pre-race conversations and we can tell they're looking forward
to arriving in both Austin and Mexico City and not only because of the racing… Barbecue ribs, spicy
tacos, shopping and feeling like rock stars are also things on their lists!
Daniil Kvyat: I think the Circuit of the Americas is a bit of a combination of a few other circuits: you see
a bit of Silverstone…
Carlos Sainz: …Or Suzuka! [Sector 1]. Also, Turns 16 to 18 remind me of that famous very long corner
in Turkey, even though I've never raced there.
DK: Well, I drove there, I did a Free Practice session, and I can say that it was quite easy to go flat out
with a V8. So yeah, the COTA is a very mixed circuit, with fast and slow parts.
CS: What we don't like about it this year though are the long straights!
DK: Haha true…! But luckily there aren't many, only one very long straight…
CS: And the rest of it we like, and a lot, don't we?! I also want to say that from all the new tracks that
have been built recently, this one and Malaysia are two of the nicest.
DK: Yes, it's an impressive one.
CS: And another thing we can't forget about Texas are the barbecues!
DK: Oh yes, some ribs with some delicious barbecue sauce!
CS: Last year I arrived there a day earlier just to be able to go and have a barbecue…! Everyone was
talking about it, so I had to try!
DK: I always lose a kilo of weight on purpose before this race to be able to regain it there and eat loads
of meat!
CS: The city is actually quite small…
DK: Yes, it's small but… Very cuuuuute! There are a few nice things to do there. I like going shopping to some of the few shopping centres there when we have a bit of spare time.
CS: There's a very big, long avenue where all the action takes place, with plenty of music – it's
somewhere we might go on Sunday night, but not during the rest of the weekend.
DK: Well, the first time I raced there back in 2014 I couldn't even go out on Sunday night because I was
20 and not old enough to get in!
CS: That's cuuuute! [He says with a cheeky laugh]. I like it there. After the race I'm staying in Austin for
a couple of days with some friends, it will be fun!
Circuit of the Americas feedback of the drivers
DK: I'm also staying and not flying to the next race until Tuesday afternoon – I will eat more ribs! [He
laughs]. I'm also looking forward to Mexico though, I like it over there! I remember there were so
many fans that attended the race last year, it was crazy! I was a bit disappointed not to be on the
podium, because I heard it was mega!
CS: Where did you finish?
DK: Fourth. Bottas just got me when there were only a few laps to go… It was a shame, but it was still
quite a good race for me. What do you think about the track?
CS: It's an interesting one! I think the layout is really well thought about, especially for the fans, as
there are three areas with stadiums where it's very impressive to drive through and see so many people
surrounding a corner! I also have very good memories of the Drivers' Parade, the amount of people
there was incredible!
DK: Oh yeah, I felt like a rock star during the Drivers' Parade!
CS: Also because the Mexican fans are so loud, they shout so much, it makes you feel good! I'd say that,
after Japan, the Mexican fans are also up there at the top of the list! Then, regarding the track itself, I'd
prefer more high-speed corners, but there's still quite a few chicanes and changes of direction which are
interesting.
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez drivers feedback
DK: It's also quite a narrow circuit and the main straight is a veeeeeeery long one!
CS: We reached 360km/h last year, didn't we?
DK: Yeah!
CS: I think this year it will be more…
DK: And what about the food over there?
CS: Mexican food… Always spicy but good!
DK: I'm not the biggest fan of spicy food, so I always stick to normal food there. I have to say that the
city is enormous and quite crazy, with loads of traffic at any time of day. It's a cool city…
CS: And the track is literally inside the city, something I also like.
We like hearing how much you're looking forward to it all, guys! Enjoy it out there and go easy on
those ribs and tacos! Be careful, we'll weigh you when you're back!
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