Circuit: Jerez de la Frontera, 4.423 kms
Driver: Daniel Ricciardo
Car: STR8 chassis number 01
Laps: 70
Best time: 1:20.401
After the wraps came off our new car in the pit lane here yesterday, Daniel Ricciardo gave the STR8 its official track debut this morning, driving out of the garage just a couple of minutes after the green light came on to indicate that the 2013 F1 season was open for business. After the usual installation laps, the team began tackling the day’s programme which centred on checking all the car systems, without looking at performance. Inevitably however, the engineers could not resist looking at the aero numbers
for the new car! STR8 ran reliably, completing 70 laps. Daniel continues to drive tomorrow, before Jean-Eric Vergne takes over for the final two days.
Daniel Ricciardo: “It’s good to be back behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car. It was a long day to complete 70 laps, however, the main thing is that the car was reliable, which is a positive aspect and we got through our work schedule for the day. You cannot look at car performance on the first day, when reliability and comfort are more important and, on that front, my seat and driving position were good. So this was a day of tasks that were relatively simple, but also important.”
Presso Office
TORO ROSSO