Circuit: Silverstone, 5.891 kms
Driver: Johnny Cecotto
Car: STR8 chassis number 01
Laps: 75
Best time: 1:34.193
A few weeks on from the British Grand Prix, Formula 1 returns to Silverstone circuit, with the slight difference that the teams are operating out of the old paddock on the short straight down to Copse corner. Also very different to our previous visit is the weather: with air and track temperatures approaching 30 and 45 degrees respectively, this is ideal weather for testing. Scuderia Toro Rosso has a busy schedule for the three days and for the first of those, Johnny Cecotto was at the wheel for the eight hours of track time available. The Venezuelan, who last drove for us at the 2012 Young Driver test at Abu Dhabi, once again produced a solid performance, working through a programme looking at the upcoming developments on the car. Overall, the results were positive and with a high number of laps completed, there is plenty of data in the bank. In addition, while it is our race drivers who are meant to evaluate the new Pirelli tyres later in the week, that work also began today, as the new compounds are being used throughout the three days. Johnny Cecotto: “It has been another amazing experience, having another day working with Toro Rosso, who made me feel very comfortable in the team and in the car. It really confirmed my desire to try and get into Formula 1, especially as I felt the car was much more suited to my driving style than the GP2 machines. We managed to get through what was quite an ambitious programme of tests and being able to work on the car development programme was very interesting. I really enjoyed working with all the guys again during what was a very enjoyable day for me.”
In a change to our original plan for this test, Daniel Ricciardo will now get behind the wheel of the STR8 for the first half of tomorrow, before handing over to Carlos Sainz, who runs in the afternoon.
Press Office TOROSSO