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Toro Rosso drivers impressed by Yamamoto's FP1 pace!

Toro Rosso drivers impressed by Yamamoto's FP1 pace!

12-10-2019 12:13

Toro Rosso drivers Pierre Gasly and Daniil Kvyat were both impressed by Naoki Yamamoto's pace in FP1 as he jumped in Gasly's car for the session, setting a time less than a tenth slower than Kvyat's.

The Japanese driver is currently sitting first in Japanese Super Formula, in line for his third title thanks to his early season form. He has great form at Suzuka circuit, finishing in the top two in seven of the last nine Super Formula races at the circuit.

Gasly took part in Super Formula back in 2016, winning two races as Yamamoto's team mate, and the Frenchman told Motorsport.com following Friday's sessions: “He helped me a lot that year [in Super Formula], I know how nice he is and how much he wanted to try F1.

“And after the session I asked him if he enjoyed it and he told me, ‘The power is amazing!' I know that he really enjoyed it which was the main thing and he did really well as well."

Kvyat added: “Obviously he is local, so he knows his way around here. I told him to turn left out of the pit box, but he didn’t!

“We were on quite different programs with the tyres, it was hard to judge, but what I saw it looked like he definitely knows how to drive a racing car, especially around here, and he is a nice guy as well.”