A FINE start for Mondini
Giorgio Mondini made the first of his scheduled outings as MF1 Racing’s third driver in Malaysia, and acquitted himself extremely well. He also went through the typical rookie initiation of picking up a fine – for speeding in the pitlane.
Pit limiters are not usually used in normal testing, so nearly every driver who comes into Grand Prix racing gets into trouble with the F1 speed cops on their first day. In Mondini’s case, he went so far over the 60km/h limit that the sum involved was a not-inconsiderable US $4750…
Otherwise, it was a successful baptism for the affable young Swiss, apart from a problem with his neck that eventually curtailed his running. He’s had limited time to ramp up his fitness regime for the special demands of F1, and Malaysia is one of the tougher tracks on the schedule.
Mondini ran 22 laps in the morning session and another 20 in the afternoon. He actually set a quicker time than either Christijan Albers or Tiago Monteiro, but the race drivers were running different programmes. His main job was to test the two available Bridgestone tyres.
The first day at a Grand Prix meeting is a big one in any young driver’s career, even if it’s only in a test role, but Mondini says he tried to keep things in perspective.
“A positive point is that I did not get too emotional,” he says. “Otherwise, I would not be able to do it properly. I tried to take it as a normal test day, but the big difference is that I was doing it on a track where they will be racing the day after. But it was very impressive to be in the driver’s briefing room and seeing Schumacher and guys like that. I don’t really know anybody, but David Coulthard was very kind to me.
“I’m happy about the job that we did. We made a good progression from the morning. It was better than when I drove a month ago in Valencia, and the guys have worked very hard. The car was quite well balanced, although we need to find something more during the season, and maybe from Imola on we’ll have something good.
“It’s a very young team, but I can see how much they are motivated, and I think that we will do the best job we can. I’m very happy about the choice I made for this year, and I’m very happy about these Friday drives. But maybe the test days I have are even more important, because you don’t have the stress of one hour followed by another hour, you have a complete day to work on the car, you have more tyres, and so on. So that will be very important for my progression.
Mondini missed the first event in Bahrain, as he had a prior commitment with the Swiss A1GP team in the USA. He will miss the Australian Grand Prix for the same reason, but will be back in action in Imola.
“I already had a handshake deal with the guy who holds the franchise for Switzerland to replace Neel Jani for two races, before I signed with Midland. I did Laguna Seca, and it was tough! I didn’t know the car at all; I just jumped in, and the conditions were difficult. It’s a shame to miss Melbourne, because it’s not a permanent track and it would be good to learn it.”
