Kazuki's Monza Blog: Friday

Posted on Saturday 12 Sep 2009 and tagged with blog, kazuki, monza.

Given that we aren’t expecting too much from the FW31 here, I was positively surprised by our progress today. The car doesn’t perform well in low downforce trim, but we found quite a good balance in the second session, in which I finished ninth, and we made progress with the set-up and the tyres. Of course you shouldn’t read too much into Friday’s times, but it’s been a better start to the weekend than I had at Spa.

Away from the racetrack, I was given a nice surprise by Japanese journalist Nakajima-san today. He travels to the races from Japan and he brought me a plastic bag full of sweets. It was very kind of him, but I don’t know what he thinks of my appetite: there’s no way I can eat everything he gave me and still fit in the car!

However, I did spoil myself this evening and have a few mouthfuls while watching the TV in my hotel room. It’s good to remind yourself of home every now and again, but I’d better not tell my trainer Nick…

It’s raining outside as I write this. What is it about this racetrack and water? Last year was a wash-out, and now this. I think the weather forecast is okay for the rest of the weekend, but this evening’s rain will wash away the rubber that was laid down today and the track will feel very green during final practice tomorrow. Let’s see how we go.