Toro Rosso Barcelona test notes 2008-11-17

Circuit: Catalunya Circuit 4.655 kms

The Brazilian Grand Prix might still be fresh in everyone's memory, but like all the other teams, Scuderia Toro Rosso's focus is already on the 2009 season. With that in mind, there was a twofold purpose to this first day of a three day session: assessing the slick tyres to be used next year and also assessing potential drivers!

Dealing with the human element first, both Sebastien and Takuma completed a high number of laps, making no mistakes, which is commendable, given that both of them only have limited experience of driving the STR3. The fact they finished the day fastest and second fastest? It means even less than usual. Testing times are always hard to evaluate, but today, there was probably a bigger discrepancy between the car configurations used by the teams and, for our part, the only concession to the new 2009 aerodynamic rules, was to run with less downforce.

As for the tyres, Bridgestone brought its two hardest 2009 slicks and both our drivers spent the entire day on the softer of the two. The results were encouraging, as they performed consistently, allowing us to try various mechanical set up changes to see how they affected performance.

Sebastien continues testing all day tomorrow, while Takuma will run in the morning, before handing over to Sebastien Bourdais.

-credit: toro rosso