Buemi encouraged after aero test

“I have had a busy time since the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, starting with another trip to Red Bull’s training camp in Austria. I stayed there two days, because after my previous visit prior to the Spa race, there were still some elements of my training I wanted to work on. After that I called in on the family in Switzerland and this Monday, I went to Vairano in Italy, where we had a one-day aerodynamic test. We were lucky to get all our work done as it threatened to rain for most of the day, but we managed to test a variety of new elements, which we hope to introduce as soon as possible and I would say that overall, the results were positive. From a pure driving point of view, aero testing can be a bit boring, because you just go up and down in a straight line. However, it is quite a complicated procedure and you do not have much time, as the rules only allow four days of aero testing during the season, so it is vital to make the most of them, cramming in as much work as possible. In the cockpit, you are kept very busy, activating and de-activating various functions. I reckon it is actually more complicated than what you have to do during a race and the interesting part is actually evaluating all the new components and functions, both in the car and then afterwards, when studying the data with the engineers. During a race weekend, you tend to try only things you know will work, because there is so little time in free practice, but at a test day, you can really experiment and I enjoy this aspect of my job.

“Today, Tuesday, I have taken part in a press conference to promote a famous Swiss Hillclimb, called Ollon-Villar, which actually takes place in a few weeks time. It’s a “retro” event, featuring some beautiful old racing cars, commemorating a traditional hillclimb that ran up until the Seventies and even my grandfather used to compete in it. The late French driver Francois Cevert holds the record for the fastest climb up the hill and his time won’t be beaten, as it is no longer a competitive event.

“Now, I’m getting ready for Monza and the Italian Grand Prix, which will be a special weekend for us as it is the home race for Scuderia Toro Rosso and the scene of the team’s best ever result, when Vettel won in 2008. So it would be great if we can deliver a competitive performance, especially as so many people from the factory will be coming to watch us. Everyone will be very motivated to do well in a race that is unique, in that the cars run with so little downforce. I think we can be competitive, as I expect this configuration and the track could suit us better than some other venues. Monza always seems to produce an exciting race, thanks to the high speeds and the overtaking opportunities going into the chicanes and the atmosphere, thanks mainly to the really enthusiastic crowd, is very exciting. Now it is up to us to get the most out of our car and do well, especially in qualifying which is so important if you want to have a good Sunday afternoon.”

From Sebastien Buemi’s blog on www.tororosso.com