Welcome back to Silverstone, Kazuki. It’s now the third season of you competing with Toyota in the new TS040 alongside Alex and Stéphane. How has preparing for the new season been?
Thank you. Everything has gone quite smoothly this year, although we have the new car and the new hybrid systems. At the beginning, we had to find the right solution, especially with regards to the fuel system, but we have covered a lot of mileage.
There were no major problems during the testing, but we didn’t know where we were in terms of pace, until we saw Audi and Porsche at Paul Ricard. Even then, we knew it was difficult to know where we stood.
Silverstone is the first real test for us when it comes to performance, but it is also very exciting at the same time.
With the new car having 1000bhp at its disposal, the car, as you said has had a lot of development. How is the future looking when it comes to realizing the future potential of the TS040, or is it too early to say?
It’s too difficult to say now, but I hope there is room for us to improve. We are in reasonable shape when it comes to the fuel saving strategy as the hybrid motor being on the front, which is something new. There was a lot of trial and error during testing, but we are at 90 percent of what we are capable of, or maybe even higher. But there will be more to improve on.
You’ve been with Toyota for the last 12 years, having won the Formula Toyota scholarship in 2002, before winning the title the following year. Your father Satoru is associated with Honda, as is your brother Daizuke, who also competes with you in Super Formula. How has it been racing with your brother over in Japan?
It’s nice for the family, as it is great to have both brothers racing in Japan’s top category, and I think it is funny with me racing with Toyota and my brother is with Honda.
It just happened like this, but basically, I’m really happy to be with Toyota and this is why I had the chance to race in Formula One, in Japan and now in the WEC.
To compete against my brother is also exciting. He is struggling at the moment, with the results being rather clear. He is still on a steep learning curve as well and having difficulties with the team and the engine performance.
KAZUKI NAKAJIMA
Image: Toyota Hybrid Racing