Mishaps aside, the team is confident that its revised aero package, combined with mechanical upgrades and the experience of its driver line-up will still deliver key performance advantages – and points finishes - this weekend.
“We have an aerodynamic and mechanical package upgrade for the FW29 for the Spanish Grand Prix, which will give the cars some more performance to help close the gap to the frontrunners,” technical director Sam Michael commented, “However, although we spend quite a bit of time testing at Barcelona, circuit conditions over the grand prix weekend are usually quite different with respect to grip level and wind.”
Rosberg, now in his second season in
F1, is looking forward to the first European race of the year, particularly as it takes place in Barcelona.
“It is always a great place to race because of the amazing atmosphere there,” he noted, “I'm looking forward to fighting hard again to get us to the top of the middle pack and get some points for the team.”
Although Rosberg has twice made the top ten in qualifying, veteran team-mate Alex Wurz has still to better eleventh, and knows that an improvement will be key this weekend.
“Barcelona will be a very interesting race for everyone in the paddock because it will show which of the teams' aero upgrades are the most efficient” the Austrian said, “Even though I have done so many tests at Barcelona over the years, it is always challenging to get it right over the race weekend, and this year particularly so because of the new chicane in the last sector. Qualifying will be very important because overtaking is almost impossible on the track.”
Scuderia Toro Rosso – Vitantonio Liuzzi (#18), Scott Speed (#19):
Just like its rivals, Scuderia Toro Rosso has made the most of the four-week gap between the third and fourth rounds of the
Formula One world championship to develop its car, but admits that it had more work to do than most.
