Toro Rosso Jerez test notes 2008-07-23

Driver: Sebastian Vettel
Chassis: STR3-02
Best time: 1:18.843
100 laps
Pos.1st

Today marked Scuderia Toro Rosso's first real test of the 2009 Bridgestone slick tyres, with Seb running two types of slick throughout, on his way to setting the fastest time of the day for the second consecutive day. The STR 3 was run with a smaller wing to replicate the predicted levels of downforce, as demanded by next year's regulations.

Testing was again trouble-free, with Vettel simulating a long run test, as well as working on the balance of the car. "I spent the whole time on the 2009 spec slick tyres and the biggest difference you notice is in the slow corners, where you feel more mechanical grip," he commented. "However, the low downforce configuration in line with next year's rules means you have a lack of aero which you feel on the high speed sections, but it is balanced out by more grip from the tyres. We tried two types of tyre and it was an interesting experiment, from which we got loads of data to study."

Tomorrow, Sebastien Bourdais takes over for the final two days.

-credit: toro rosso