Pre-season testing Q&A with Pascal Vasselon
Q:
How do you assess the first four tests of the year?
PV:
We are happy with the progress we have made with the TF108. It has been
very obvious from the first test that the TF108 is a different animal
compared to the TF107, with much better stability and an all-around much
better basis to work on. Our drivers feel a lot more confident in the
car and they are able to push more. We have found that set-up work is
much more straightforward and it is much easier to make progress in that
area.
Q:
What has the team been focusing on during these tests?
PV:
After basic systems checks at the roll-out, which is more of a shakedown
really, we have been looking at set-up and car development. We have
spent the time learning how to use this package so we have worked on
getting the mechanical set-up suited to the new aerodynamic concept.
Because the stability of the TF108 is so much better we have to revisit
most of the set-up directions we had developed with the TF107.
Q:
Are you happy with the baseline configuration of the TF108?
PV:
Yes, because during the development of the new car I said our main
target was to improve the stability and drivability and that is exactly
what we have done. It is a clear step forward which has a lot of
potential to be developed even further. From the first test it was clear
we were working in a different ball park and performing better.
Q:
What areas are you looking to improve?
PV:
At the moment I would say we have gained the stability we were looking
for so we are now focusing on the improvement of pure aerodynamic
efficiency.
Q:
Are you concerned by the gap to the fastest cars?
PV:
If you compare what is comparable, which means comparing times within
the same test sessions and taking into account estimated fuel loads, you
will see that at the moment the gap reflects a performance gain for the
TF108 compared to last year. Of course there is still a gap, it is not
good enough, and we are constantly striving to close it, but compared
to this time last year I believe we are much closer to the cars at the
front of the grid.
Q:
So has the true potential of the TF108 been seen yet?
PV:
There is still plenty of performance left to come from this car
before we race for the first time. We have new parts coming through
continuously but the biggest upgrade to the package will come just
before the Australian Grand Prix. It is a process of continuous
development which will peak just before Melbourne.
Q:
When will we see the Melbourne package on the car?
PV:
A lot of it will arrive during the two Barcelona test sessions, the
final tests before the Australian Grand Prix. The introduction of the
new parts will be staggered during those two tests but we will not run
the whole Melbourne package until we get to the race weekend itself.
Q:
How different will the TF108 be in Melbourne compared to these
pre-season tests?
PV:
It will be different but you will not see a big visible change. It will
be a combination of front wing, brake drums, suspension members, turning
vanes and barge boards so it is not a significant change to the car's
appearance but it is a combination of detail changes which we believe
will have a positive impact.
Q:
Why did the team test in Bahrain?
PV:
There are two reasons. Firstly there is the weather because you expect
warmer conditions than in Europe and this allows us to run for the whole
day and also to monitor cooling, which is relevant because we have a new
cooling lay-out on the TF108. We wanted to test in the hottest climate
available to look at this area. Secondly, the track lay-out in Bahrain
is quite interesting because you have a good combination of high-speed
corners and high-traction corners.
Q:
How has Timo performed in these tests?
PV:
Timo has been immediately up to speed and immediately contributed to
the development of the car. What we get with Timo is the advantage of
a young driver without the disadvantage of a lack of experience. His
racing and F1 experience is very good and he has been able to contribute
a lot. He has done a perfect job so far but probably this is the easier
bit of the season. The difficult bit will start in mid-March.
-credit: toyota
