Hockenheim Q&A with Alfonso de Orléans- Borbón: "As usual, we will give it our best."

26/07/16 Hockenheim Q&A with Alfonso de Orléans- Borbón: "As usual, we will give it our best."

The last round of the 2016 GP2 Series was a mixed weekend for the Racing Engineering team. Saturday’s Sprint Race saw Norman Nato and Jordan King finish 7^th and 8^th but, with Norman qualifying 5^th, the young Frenchman was hoping to finish on the podium but sadly an electrical problem that afflicted him during the race which caused an engine misfire and prevented his DRS from working meant that he lost positions rather than gain any. Sunday’s Sprint Race was much better with Jordan finishing 2^nd and Norman 3^rd which gave both men a good haul of points which see them lying 6^th and 5^th respectively in the Drivers’ Championship and Racing Engineering move up to 2^nd in the Team Championship.

Below Alfonso de Orléans- Borbón, the President of Racing Engineering, looks back at the Hungarian round and forward to this weekend’s event at Hockenheim in Germany.

The GP2 sprint race at the Hungaroring saw both Racing Engineering drivers on the podium. Are you happy with how the weekend ended?

Generally, yes considering this is probably the track that least fits the type of car we tend to run. Although it was a pity that both drivers ran into problems with other drivers during Sunday's race after starting on the front row. Saying that however, the boys did a great job.

Hungary marked the halfway point of the 2016 season and both Racing Engineering drivers are fighting hard for the championship and the team is currently in second position in the teams’ standings. Are you pleased with how the season has gone so far?

Yes and no. Yes, because we are still second and doing a good job staying there, but no because we were leading both championships earlier in the season so we just have to catch up again. It is important to have both drivers always finish in the points, that is our priority at the moment.

This week GP2 is already racing again, this time in Germany. The Hockenheimring is known as a high-speed circuit even though it’s a combination of slow speed corners through the stadium and the long straights. What else would you say makes the German venue unique?

I think that what sticks out the most is that it takes place in a forest, so it offers a backdrop similar to Red Bull Ring, only flat. It also has a lot of history, so for many drivers a win here is special compared to the newer tracks.

Racing Engineering has historically been fast at the German track. Fabio Leimer was on the podium in both races in 2012, Stefano Coletti won in 2014. What are your expectations for this year?

I think we always strive for a win, regardless of the circumstances, although we have to keep in mind that it is the 4th race weekend in 5 weeks. So not only is everyone in the team tired from this back to back marathon, but so is the equipment and the cars. In conditions like these, you never know what can happen. As usual, we will give it our best.

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