Gastaldi : Unlock as much performance from the E22 as possible

Federico Gastaldi looks ahead to the Belgian Grand Prix

By Franck Drui

17 August 2014 - 16:52
Gastaldi : Unlock as much performance

What is the feeling in the team as we head to Spa?

It is a feeling of huge motivation to keep pushing and to try and turn our season around as much as we can. We now have just two more races in Europe with the rest all flyaway races, so we need to make sure we gain some good momentum. Hopefully that will be triggered by some points at Spa and Monza. It won’t be easy because these two circuits are power tracks but as ever we will be fighting for the optimum result. Although we had the enforced summer shutdown, our team will not have stopped thinking and visualising the races ahead. F1 never stops, especially in the talented brains at Enstone. I can guarantee that all our team had a long think about the season so far and then resolved to ensure we do as much as is humanly possible to extract the maximum from the second phase of 2014.

What makes the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa so special?

Simple, the track. The atmosphere is unique as well, but ultimately Spa is all about the challenge that it presents to the drivers. Just watching them attack the classic corners like Eau Rouge and Pouhon is a thrill. It must be amazing to drive this rollercoaster in the forest; it is like the track reflects the ups and downs of everything in F1. Spa also has a good feeling in the paddock too because everyone is refreshed from the summer break and there is a sense of renewed energy for the rest of the year.

The ‘silly season’ traditionally starts here too. Expecting lots of paddock waffle in Belgium?

Something like that! Seriously though you learn to just focus on what is happening in your own corner of the paddock and doing what is best for the team. Of course sometimes it is fun to hear the stories and as everyone re-groups after the summer break it is natural for stories to start circulating. I have been around F1 for a long time so I know what to expect off the track.

How important is it for F1 to race at circuits such as Spa?

In my opinion it is vital. These tracks are the lifeblood of F1. There wouldn’t be a tennis season without Wimbledon or a golf season without the Masters at Augusta. These circuits need to be maintained in F1 because the fans identify with them so much and they nearly always create excitement. I think we have a good balance of tracks in F1. Some traditional like Spa, Silverstone and Monza, some great street circuits like Monaco and Singapore and then newer F1 markets like Russia, the Middle East and the US. F1 should be about variety in every context while at the same time being relevant to partners, fans and teams alike.

There are many challenges ahead for the remainder of the season. What are the key ones?

The big one is to make sure we unlock as much performance from the E22 as possible and also ensure that we get greater reliability in all areas. Without this we are limited to what can be achieved. We know that the E22 can be quick and can get points when a stable platform is provided. The aims and objectives are clear for us as a team. We are targeting a strong end to the season that will give us the momentum to carry through to 2015 where we fully intend to climb back to the sharp-end of the grid. It will not be easy but what I know as fact is that our people at Enstone will make it happen. This team has had tough seasons before and always come back stronger. This will be the case once again. We will make sure of that.

Are there any announcements incoming about 2015?

We will make any announcements when we are ready. 2015 looks very exciting indeed and we will have a great mix of new relationships to enjoy while also keeping some good continuity in the team which is important.

Search

Formula 1 news

Pics

Videos