Busy day for STR with three drivers in action
The Scuderia Toro Rosso had Daniel Ricciardo drive Jaume Alguersuari's STR06 during the first free practice session, in which he completed 23 laps in his home countries GP. Other than a new driver the team had a routine first day setting up the car and evaluating tyres, KERS, and the ARW.
Daniel Ricciardo (STR6-04): “All week I was trying to prepare myself, to have the least amount of nerves and pressure as possible. Even though it was just another time being out on track, it did feel a bit different, I won’t lie. When I pulled out of the pits and onto the track, I felt a little bit jelly-like for the first few corners. But once we got the procedural stuff out of the way, I was pretty happy and got into it. The first important thing is that I brought the car back in one piece, so hopefully the team is happy with that and afterwards I was just trying to build up gradually and learn. As the year goes on, it will get easier for me.”
First Practice Session
Best lap 1.29.468, pos. 16th, 23 laps
Jaime Alguersuari (STR6-04): “A different day, as I had to get used to seeing Daniel driving my car in the morning! I am cool with it and it’s good that another Red Bull young driver gets the chance to experience Formula 1. The main thing is that we are all working for the same team helping each other to progress. I have to say, because it was the first day of the season, it was quite difficult this afternoon to fit in as much of the programme as possible and the occasional rain definitely did not help. However, I am happy with the feel from the car, it seems to be competitive and even though it went well today, there is the potential to get much more out of it tomorrow. For a first day of the season I would sum it up as very positive.”
Second Practice Session
Best lap 1.27.525, pos. 11th, 31 laps
Sebastien Buemi (STR6-02): “After winter testing, it’s good to be back at a track for real, knowing you are going to race. I’m happy to be able to see how we measure up against the other drivers. It has been a busy day with a full programme that we will now analyse very carefully, as there are all the new elements, like the rear wing, KERS and new tyres to take into consideration. Currently the times show us in the middle of the pack, in a tight group in terms of lap times of those ahead and behind us. We need to get the maximum out of this evening if we want to get the maximum out of tomorrow. The circuit has not changed much since last year apart from some resurfacing at corners 8 and 9 which helps, so it is as nice as ever to drive here.”
First Practice Session
Best lap 1.29.328, pos. 14th, 21 laps
Second Practice Session
Best lap 1.27.697, pos. 14th, 30 laps
