The following is a double interview with both drivers from the Sauber team, carried out by the team media department before the summer break of 2012. Both drivers have had highs and lows in the season, with Perez having the most exciting result of the two as he scored a second-place finish at the Malaysian Grand Prix, which he might have won had he not made a small mistake toward the end and failed to get close enough to Fernando Alonso to pass him and take the victory - which went instead to the Ferrari driver. Perez was touted as a potential replacement driver at Ferrari for Felipe Massa, while Kobayashi has made clear progress at the Swiss team. Sergio Pérez was ninth in the drivers‘ championship (47 points), while Kamui Kobayashi was tenth (33 points). With 80 points to its tally the Sauber F1 Team was sixth in the constructors‘ championship:
On how they would assess their season so far:
Kamui Kobayashi: “Overall we have done a good job and achieved great things. The team built a very good car with an excellent performance. Since the beginning of the season we have been competitive on most tracks, and this means we can be confident for the remainder of the season. The downside so far has been we definitely missed some opportunities for some more great results. Too often we didn’t manage the weekend perfectly. If we can improve there, a lot will be possible.”
Sergio Pérez: “I had some great moments in the first half of the season. There were the two podiums in Malaysia and Montreal, which, of course, made me very happy. Nevertheless it was also a period with ups and downs because we didn’t make the most of every situation.”
On how each has personally improved in 2012 compared to the previous year:
Sergio: “Having a lot more experience now compared to my rookie season makes me much more confident in many respects. I think I am a lot better than I was when I entered Formula 1. This goes especially for when it comes to making decisions with the team.”
Kamui: “I don’t think I have changed a lot personally, but I feel this year we work closer together with the engineers and on a higher level.”
On what are their targets for the second half of the F1 season:
Kamui: “On the one hand I want to get my first podium in Formula One, because this is definitely within reach with this car, while on the other we have to focus on our position in the constructors’ championship and score points on a regular basis.”
Sergio: “We need to be more efficient and I want to contribute to that. It is not that our performance was not consistent, but we didn’t always get the things right and also we have been unlucky sometimes. We have to get everything together and make the most out of what we have. The car is quick and for me my first victory would be a dream come true.”
One what they think about having so many different winners in Formula 1 this season:
Sergio: “I think we are having a great season in Formula 1 this year. The teams are very close together, and this enables more teams and drivers than before to fight for a podium or even a win.”
Kamui: “I think the main reasons are the changes in the technical regulations with the banning of off-throttle blowing and the flexible front wings. This brought the teams much closer together. This year sometimes in qualifying there have been nearly ten cars within two tenths of a second. The smallest mistake makes a huge difference to the position you start from. The result of all this is there are many different winners, which is good for Formula 1, good for the fans and good for us drivers.”
On what are their plans for the summer break:
Kamui: “I haven’t decided yet as first of all I have some events and appointments to attend in Japan. After them I will have a look to find myself a warm place with a beach.”
Sergio: “For the first two weeks in August I will go with my family to a quiet place in the US. The other two weeks I will be using to prepare myself for the second half of the season because I want to come back strong.”