Helio Castroneves
Helio Castroneves
Hélio Castro-Neves, better known as Hélio Castroneves, is a Brazilian auto racing driver competing in the IndyCar Series. In IndyCar competition, Castroneves has 23 wins and 38 poles, and placed second in the season standings four times, third two times and fourth four times. Prior to IndyCar, Castroneves competed in the CART championship, with a highest championship points finish of fourth; he recorded six wins and seven pole positions in the series...
NationalityBrazilian
ProfessionRace Car Driver
Date of Birth10 May 1975
CitySao Paulo, Brazil
CountryBrazil
Every time you go out on the track, which is very technical and unique, you learn something different. This place, if you keep practicing, keep running and learning every corner, you'll be consistently fast.
This is a good way to improve your concentration.
In a long race, if I'm worried about fatigue, my concentration is the first thing to go.
It would be good karma.
All the drivers know the risks and the dangers, but we're here because we love what we do. It's not the first time it's happened and, unfortunately, it probably won't be the last time.
The last time we were here, we were backing off and cutting back in power and you could feel it. But everybody's the same out there.
I was just trying to get the side draft. We were trying to get so slow. I wasn't sure if Sam was trying to pass or push. I didn't know which way he was going. I really thought the finish line was ahead of me. I was thinking, 'Look! It's right up there!' And they were telling me on the radio that the race was over.
It was a tough run and we tried really hard. The track changed a little bit from the morning to the afternoon which was a little bit to our favour. We tried something in the beginning of the top-six qualifying and it didn't work, and we had to stop right away. We used the tyres up and the track was better. At the end of the day, I don't think we would have been able to catch Ryan. He did a good job. Now we look forward to the race tomorrow and hopefully will do well.
It's awesome starting up front. We were fast in practice, but I know everybody will pick it up as well tomorrow.
It's hard to lose a colleague, a person who is doing the same job you're doing. But we're all here, and all the drivers know the risk and the danger of the sport. We are here because we love what we do.
It's hard to lose a colleague, a person who is doing the same job you're doing.
It's great to finally win here in Japan. We had a very strong car. Ever since we got off the plane, the car has been responding well.
It's great to finally win here in Japan.
I'm going to take it nice and easy. With my experience, I know you don't win a race on the first lap.