Pre-season testing Q+A with Pascal Vasselon
How do you assess the first four tests of the year?
We are happy with the progress we have made with the TF108.
It has been very obvious from the first test that the TF108
is a different animal compared to the TF107, with much better
stability and an all-around much better basis to work on.
Our drivers feel a lot more confident in the car and they
are able to push more. We have found that set-up work is much
more straightforward and it is much easier to make progress
in that area.
What has the team been focusing on during these tests?
After basic systems checks at the roll-out, which is more
of a shakedown really, we have been looking at set-up and
car development. We have spent the time learning how to use
this package so we have worked on getting the mechanical set-up
suited to the new aerodynamic concept. Because the stability
of the TF108 is so much better we have to revisit most of
the set-up directions we had developed with the TF107.
Are you happy with the baseline configuration of
the TF108?
Yes, because during the development of the new car I said
our main target was to improve the stability and drivability
and that is exactly what we have done. It is a clear step
forward which has a lot of potential to be developed even
further. From the first test it was clear we were working
in a different ball park and performing better.
What areas are you looking to improve?
At the moment I would say we have gained the stability we
were looking for so we are now focusing on the improvement
of pure aerodynamic efficiency.
Are you concerned by the gap to the fastest cars?
If you compare what is comparable, which means comparing
times within the same test sessions and taking into account
estimated fuel loads, you will see that at the moment the
gap reflects a performance gain for the TF108 compared to
last year. Of course there is still a gap, it is not good
enough, and we are constantly striving to close it, but compared
to this time last year I believe we are much closer to the
cars at the front of the grid.
So has the true potential of the TF108 been seen
yet?
There is still plenty of performance left to come from this
car before we race for the first time. We have new parts coming
through continuously but the biggest upgrade to the package
will come just before the Australian Grand Prix. It is a process
of continuous development which will peak just before Melbourne.
When will we see the Melbourne package on the car?
A lot of it will arrive during the two Barcelona test sessions,
the final tests before the Australian Grand Prix. The introduction
of the new parts will be staggered during those two tests
but we will not run the whole Melbourne package until we get
to the race weekend itself.
How different will the TF108 be in Melbourne compared
to these pre-season tests?
It will be different but you will not see a big visible change.
It will be a combination of front wing, brake drums, suspension
members, turning vanes and barge boards so it is not a significant
change to the car’s appearance but it is a combination
of detail changes which we believe will have a positive impact.
Why did the team test in Bahrain?
There are two reasons. Firstly there is the weather because
you expect warmer conditions than in Europe and this allows
us to run for the whole day and also to monitor cooling, which
is relevant because we have a new cooling lay-out on the TF108.
We wanted to test in the hottest climate available to look
at this area. Secondly, the track lay-out in Bahrain is quite
interesting because you have a good combination of high-speed
corners and high-traction corners.
How has Timo performed in these tests?
Timo has been immediately up to speed and immediately contributed
to the development of the car. What we get with Timo is the
advantage of a young driver without the disadvantage of a
lack of experience. His racing and F1 experience is very good
and he has been able to contribute a lot. He has done a perfect
job so far but probably this is the easier bit of the season.
The difficult bit will start in mid-March.
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