Toro Rosso end testing with 5746 kms covered
Toro Rosso have rounded off their pre-season testing programma with Sebastian Buemi today in action. The team has put its STR5 contender through its paces, totalling 3305 km for Alguersuari and a further 2441 for Buemi.
Sebastien Buemi: “I am pleased with my two days here in Barcelona. Today, we concentrated on doing a scan of various mechanical set-up options as well as some aero work. Overall, I think we are in good shape and now I’m looking forward to the first race to see where we stand compared to everyone else.”
Franz Tost: “Just two weeks from today, we will be racing in the Bahrain Grand Prix. It will be Scuderia Toro Rosso’s first ever race with a car designed totally in-house. Thanks to an intensive and effective programme through 2009 and the enormous efforts of all our staff and suppliers we were able to get our car out on schedule and I want to thank them for a job well done. Because the car was ready on time, we have made the most of the 15 days of testing, during which STR5 has enjoyed excellent reliability. We therefore managed to complete a very respectable mileage with both our drivers, despite the bad weather at the two Jerez tests. It was also important that both Jaime and Sebastien completed a full race simulation here in Barcelona. It means we can arrive at the Sakhir circuit reasonably confident as far as reliability goes. We have also seen that our two relatively inexperienced drivers have learned a lot from these test days and that they have been diligent over the winter in their physical preparation. Never before, in its five year history has Scuderia Toro Rosso gone into a season so well prepared. It just leaves the big question – how fast will we be? And the answer to that will have to wait at least until after qualifying and the race in Bahrain.”
Circuit: Circuit de Catalunya – 4.655 kms
Driver: Sebastien Buemi
Chassis: STR5 - 02
Best time: 1:22.135, 88 laps
