It's been a tough start, but it has been quite hard for everybody in the pit-lane, the Dutchman commented, We're just doing as best as we can. Adrian, myself and the team are all pushing really hard but, as you've seen, it's not easy. We've had some bad luck, but now it's time to draw a line under that and really look forward to the rest of the year. I think we will grow through the season - we missed some testing at the start and now we're getting closer and closer everyday. One day we will be competitive with the other cars and finally get that fighting spirit.
Super Aguri F1 Takuma Sato (#22), Anthony Davidson (#23):
After a low-key Malaysian Grand Prix, Super Aguri returned to Melbourne form in Bahrain, with Anthony Davidson making it through to Q2 and then running as high as sixth owing to his strategy.
The only downside to the performance was a lack of reliability that saw both drivers retire in a cloud of engine smoke Davidson dramatically so but the team is confident (
spot a recurring theme here?) that work done between races will allow both drivers to keep up the pressure on the midfield.
I am pleased that we have been able to continue our rate of performance increase from last year to this, chief designer Peter McCool said, This season we are most definitely not last. That vindicates our determined approach to improve performance.
In true SAF1 style, we bit off more than we should have done [at the latest Barcelona test], but we have introduced a new carbon gearbox and a comprehensive aero package that includes a revised floor, a new chicken, chimney, T-wing and a whole new rear wing package. It was a shame that the bad weather precluded us from fully optimising this package for the forthcoming race, but I am confident that the hard work of the aero and design departments will be repaid with a good race result.
TYRES:
The fourth round of the season officially the Gran Premio de Espana Telefonica will see
Bridgestone bring similar compounds of Potenza tyre to those used in Malaysia and Bahrain, namely hard and medium. The softer compound will feature the painted white groove to distinguish it as the option tyre.
