Giorgio Ascanelli happy with Toro Rosso’s progress in the 2011 season so far – Formula 1 news
Scuderia Toro Rosso’s Technical Director Giorgio Ascanelli has stated that his team has done well in the opening half of the 2011 Formula 1 season to place themselves seventh in the constructors’ championship battle.
Ascanelli added that Toro Rosso, who finished ninth in the 2010 Formula 1 season, were eyeing an eighth spot in the 2011 season but seventh place is more than expected. However, he also added that it will be hard to maintain seventh position all the way
in the 2011 season.
He further added that the driver, Jaime Alguersuari and Sebastian Buemi, are not getting the most out of the car in the qualifiers which is why the team struggles in the race.
Ascanelli further commented that the team is also not pushing too hard in the qualifiers as compared to the race which is why the result is delivered on Sundays.
Toro Rosso have scored 16 points in the first eight races of the 2011 championship and are placed second in the midfield runners behind the Sauber team.
“The way our race weekends play out. Part of that is down to technical reasons and there is also the fact that we consciously dedicate more time to preparing for the race than for qualifying. The other factor is that, with no disrespect to our drivers, they
are not getting the most out of the car when the tyres are at their best for a qualifying lap,” commented Ascanelli.
Talking about the recent encounter in Valencia where Jaime was able to score points and Buemi finished outside top ten, Ascanelli stated, “Jaime was able to finish so many places higher than he started on Sunday in Valencia. Sebastian’s performance was also
good.”
Ascanelli added that Buemi picked up a piece of debris on to his car which hindered his performance in the race.
Nevertheless, 11 races are still to be contested and Toro Rosso will get plenty of time to fight for their seventh position against Force India and Williams.
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