Pierre Gasly says that the support from Japanese Formula 1 fans at Suzuka this year “will be quite insane” with Honda powering four cars on the grid across Red Bull and Toro Rosso.
Since their return to the sport in 2015 Honda will have four cars on grid in front of the home crowd in Japan for the first time since 2007 when Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello raced for their works team and Takuma Sato and Athony Davidson raced for Super Aguri.
Gasly, driving for Toro Rosso in Suzuka, looks forward to the support awaiting him and his teammate Daniil Kvyat as well as Red Bull drivers Max Verstappen and Alex Albon.
“I guess this year with Red Bull plus Toro Rosso will be quite insane so I’m really looking forward to getting there,” he said (quoted by Formula 1).
“It’s almost sold out? The Honda grandstand is already sold out?" Gasly asked about the crowd.
“I think we’re really looking forward to this one. Already last year it was really impressive to see so much support.
“Seeing it at the race, it was the most support since the start of my career because the Japanese are so passionate and they’re really showing their passion and support.”
Honda have brought along their spec-4 engine to Suzuka, having introduced it at the previous race in Russia, taking penalties there to avoid grid drops in Japan.
“We also have some upgrades, so I really hope we can provide a good performance in front of all of them," Gasly added.
"Last year we had a good quali but not a good race.
“Hopefully this year we can get the two together, especially as it will mean a lot for Honda and for all the fans who support us.”