Q & A WITH MARK PRESTON, TECHNICAL DIRECTOR, SAF1 TEAM
Q. What can you tell us about the new SAF1 Team SA07
car?
Mark Preston, Technical Director: May I say what an incredible
first year! The end of the season finished on such a high
for us. The hardest part is still to come because we have
to take what we created in 2006 and try to keep pushing to
achieve even a small part of that. The focus for the SA07
has not changed from our strategy last year, with the team
concentrating on aero development and the new Bridgestone
Potenza tyres. 2006 allowed us to validate our development
strategy and the SA07 is a continuation of that process. We
have now put into place small, but efficient and highly motivated,
groups of designers, aerodynamicists and engineers that will
continue to punch above their weight when it comes to adding
performance to the car throughout the season.
We have been working on this project for the past eight months
with Honda Japan and other suppliers here in the UK. The car
features a new monocoque developed in conjunction with Honda
which gives us a large step forward in centre of gravity and
more flexibility for the aerodynamicists. Last year we focused
on bringing the SA06’s downforce to a similar level
to other competitors in F1 and have now focused on bringing
a similar level of efficiency to the package. Obviously we
are one of the teams who partnered with Bridgestone in 2006
and this knowledge has allowed us to develop our understanding
of the new tyres quickly over the winter testing period.
As in 2006, we will continue to use Honda power-train technology
with more integration and with its associated increase in
reliability. This will be a key factor in delivering our goal
for the season - to win our first World Championship point.
Our focus for the first three races will be to deliver a solid
performance and pick up any points that are available due
to other teams’ new cars potential ‘teething’
issues.
Q. What is your technical objective for the 2007
season?
MP: As a small team we take a number of design concepts that
have started to solidify in F1. New crash testing rules have
dictated large changes in the nosebox, rear impact designs,
as have the side impact requirements. An F1 car is constantly
evolving and the car at the start of the season often changes
by the end; expect the SA07 to follow this trend in 2007 as
it will be a very competitive season, and constant change
is needed because our competitors certainly will not cease
their developments.
Q. And how is this car different to the SAF1 Team
Interim car that you ran during winter testing?
MP: The power-train will be exactly the same as it is a continuation
of what we used in 2006. Aerodynamically the car will be sporting
different wings and other aerodynamic devices. Most other
areas have stayed fairly similar, with radiator packaging
and electronics not varying much from last year.
Q. What has been the impact of the change to the
new control Bridgestone Potenza tyres?
MP: The new tyres present a number of challenges due to the
fact that they are control tyres and we have left the highly
competitive situation between the two suppliers that was going
on in 2006.
Q. The team fought with Spyker F1 and Toro Rosso
in the latter half of the 2006 season. How do you expect the
competitive situation to evolve during 2007?
MP: If Brazil could be taken as the starting point and we
look at some of the pre-season testing, I predict that we
will be ahead in Melbourne. However, Toro Rosso will benefit
from the constant aerodynamic development that their main
team will provide and that is one of the challenges of the
season. Spyker has publicly stated that they will put all
of their resource into aerodynamics and deliver a substantially
better package in the mid-season. Sutil will be an asset to
the team as he was very competitive in Friday testing in 2006.
Q. Does the SA07 feature any major new developments?
MP: The SA07 is a big step forward for the SAF1 Team with
our continued and increasing collaboration with Honda in Japan.
We shall have more downforce, increased efficiency, the carbon
gearbox and integration of a reliable power-train from Honda.
Q. So what are your expectations for the coming year?
MP: Our main aim for 2007 is to cement our membership in
F1, continue to deliver results that belie our size and experience
as the youngest team in F1 and to earn our first Championship
points. Part of this will come from our increased performance,
a very good second driver in Anthony to work alongside Takuma,
and a large increase in reliability after a very successful
winter testing programme.
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