Motorsport journalist George East chats to Caterham's Giedo van der Garde for
Crash.net ahead of this week's third and final 2013 F1 pre-season test at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya in Spain...
Crash.net:
Giedo, how much of a benefit is it for you to make your debut season with Caterham, given you were their reserve driver last year?
Giedo van der Garde:
I think it's a good step, I'm very happy here. Last year I think I showed my potential, I worked hard and I'm sure they took me because of my input last year and the way I progressed. Of course it's a good thing to make my debut with Caterham.
Crash.net:
After the
Jerez test, you said the front end of the car wasn't bad; in addition to this, what are your other impressions of the car that you can take from there and Barcelona?
Giedo van der Garde:
Well, the Barcelona test wasn't too bad but the second day it was raining, so that wasn't ideal because we needed to fix an issue in the dry. I have to say that the front end seems very strong and the rear end was again a bit weak in Barcelona, so I guess we still need to do some work to make it a bit better. The team has some solutions now so let's see at this test if they've managed that, but of course we need some dry weather.
Crash.net:
What is the plan for the final test in Barcelona?
Giedo van der Garde:
Well, first of all it needs to be dry! Then we're going to try some things with the car, so let's see if we can solve whether there's a big issue but I'm sure and confident that we will.
Crash.net:
Cyril [Abiteboul] recently said that the team 'needs to do better than tenth' in the Constructors' Championship but it will be difficult. Since his appointment, has the atmosphere changed within the team, given there have been some quite ambitious targets in the past...?
Giedo van der Garde:
Well, don't forget that the team is still young and I think with Cyril on board now, he's a good, young fresh guy and he will put all the right people in the right places and we will make good progress this year. It won't be an easy year, but we're going to try and do our best, that's for sure. Next year because of the rule changes, there will be some bigger opportunities for the smaller teams.
Crash.net:
Do you believe that because you've worked with Charles Pic previously at the Barwa Addax
GP2 team in 2011, this will benefit the team despite the lack of F1 experience you both have?
Giedo van der Garde: