Toro Rosso try super softs and intermediates

Today marked the first time teams were able to test the super soft Pirelli tyres at Jerez. Toro Rosso tested they thoroughly before noon, while in the afternoon Sebastien Buemi ran several long stints in race configuration.

The four day test at Jerez, the second of four before the opening race of the season, came to an end today. So did the good weather, with clouds, wind and a quick rain shower when there were just a few minutes remaining, replacing the warm sunshine which characterised the first three days.

Sebastien was again in the cockpit today. In the morning the focus was on aero evaluation and general set-up work, as well as running the Super Soft Pirelli tyres for the first time this week. In the afternoon, the main aim was to look at reliability with Sebastien doing a couple of very long runs in race configuration. When rain came with 15 minutes remaining, the Swiss driver also managed a short run on Intermediate rain tyres.

Sebastien Buemi:
"We got through the entire programme we had planned for today, so I have to congratulate the team for ensuring the car worked all day. I did 90 laps today and more than that yesterday, so we can be quite pleased. I had my first taste of Super Soft and Intermediate rain tyres just at the end, which is better than nothing, as I don’t suppose we are likely to get much rain between now and the first race. Therefore, I am satisfied with the past two days, even if we know there is a long way to go in terms of developing the car. Reliability improved throughout the test and since Valencia, so we must continue working in this direction while also beginning to think more about performance."

Laurent Mekies, Chief Engineer:
"Overall, this was a good test for us, during which we completed a respectable number of laps and learned a lot about the new car in terms of reliability and performance. We have to keep improving now, working on getting all the potential out of the car, which is the most important target over the next few weeks. Hopefully we can achieve even more in next week’s test in Barcelona.”

Circuit: Jerez circuit – 4.423 kms
Driver: Sebastien Buemi
Chassis: STR6 - 02
Best time: 1:21.213, 90 laps