Interview
Nakamura aiming for more improvements with Hitech ahead of return to Europe
Jin Nakamura has been using the break since Melbourne to improve his driving and is excited to show that with Hitech in Monte Carlo next month.
The Japanese driver scored his maiden Formula 3 points in the Albert Park Feature Race, finishing ninth, coming through the field after qualifying in P15.
Since then, Nakamura has been hard at work, not only in the simulator but also in the GB3 Championship – where he is also racing with Hitech.
“It’s been very boring, very long days,” said Nakamura speaking about the break ahead of this week's in-season test. “After Melbourne, I went to Sydney to see my friend, and after that it has been long days in Milton Keynes.
“I've got all the gym kit in my flat, which is pretty useful. I was going to the gym, then doing gym work in my flat, and then sometimes I was going to the Hitech factory.
“We would do some some gym sessions, and then also some meetings as well, and then I got a new opportunity in GB3.
“So I got some mileage as well, but it has been a little bit boring, although there have been very good days.”
Nakamura gained those two points in Melbourne at the line when Noah Stromsted and Théophile Nael’s penalties were applied. While he called them “lucky” he was happy with the improvements he and the team had made since the Barcelona pre-season test.
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“I mean the general feeling is we were struggling quite hard in Barcelona,” acknowledged Nakamura. “But in Melbourne, we secured two points, and it was pretty good to score points.
“We had some luck in the Feature Race, but P9 is P9. So we still managed to get the points, and it was a very strong point.
“But maybe I'm still not driving great, so I have to improve some points as well. But we are doing those sessions, and we are pretty positive for the next one.”
Looking ahead to Round 2, Nakamura says the signs are positive for Monaco based on what he is doing in the simulator.
“I'm a little bit scared,” joked Nakamura when asked about racing in Monaco for the first time. “But we have done plenty of time in the sim.
“So far, I'm feeling positive, but I’m still a little bit scared. But the important point is just get a lot of mileage in Monaco, in Free Practice and then try to have a good performance across the weekend.”