Australia 2015 - GP Preview - Ferrari

For a Formula 1 team, taking part in the Australian Grand Prix is like the first night for a theatre company: there’s tension, adrenalin, a great desire to get on with it, but also a lot of aspects that need checking. It’s with this determination and the realisation that testing is now over, that Sebastian and Kimi are preparing for their weekend in Albert Park.

A special track. For Sebastian Vettel, this is also his debut with Scuderia Ferrari and a return to the number 5 with which he won his first world title. “Over the winter, we managed to complete the majority of the programme we had set ourselves,” the German told Ferrari.com. “Now it’s time to take to the track in Australia and see just how competitive we are. The Melbourne track is very nice, but being made up of public roads it’s very difficult, because the surface is very bumpy and therefore very tricky.”

The set-up. It’s usually said that Albert Park is unique on the calendar because of its characteristics, something Sebastian agrees with: “Because of the uneven surface, in Australia you need to opt for a softer configuration to the one you’d use at many other circuits, because you have to try and absorb the car’s jumps as much as possible. On top of that, it’s the first race of the season and it will be difficult for everyone to work out the perfect set-up and the best way to fine tune the car, because everything is still quite new. However, this is all part of the challenge. That’s why we go testing in the winter, so as to get to the track as well prepared as possible.”

A positive atmosphere. Kimi Raikkonen is also pleased with the work done this winter: “I’ve known the team for a few years now, but I have to say, this year the atmosphere is very good, the people are happy and are working together in a very close-knit way. I think that’s a good sign and on top of that, it seems that a good car has been produced over the winter period. Now the time’s come to go racing, which is when we will really understand where we are,” affirms Kimi.

Team work. Raikkonen has great memories of Melbourne: he won here twice, the first in 2007 at the start of his time with Scuderia Ferrari. “It’s a good place to start, even if it’s a long way for everyone. The journey is long, but once here, it’s nice to be in Melbourne. Usually the weather is nice and there’s a good atmosphere around us.” Kimi is therefore ready to give it his best shot: “I think that compared with last year, we have done a great job as a team. We are pleased with what we achieved over the winter and with the level of competitiveness that we expect to have reached, even if we will have to wait until we’re on track to get the real verdict. Anyhow, we will continue to push to improve all the time. I am confident that we will manage to achieve the results we deserve and want.”