Chinese GP Review

Posted on Wednesday 21 Apr 2010

We talk to Technical Director, Sam Michael, for the Chinese GP de-brief.

Q: Sam, please sum up the performance of the FW32 in the dry at the Shanghai International Circuit.
SM: Even though we didn't make the top ten in qualifying, Rubens’ pace was better than it has been previously, as demonstrated by the small gap between him and the quickest car. That was in spite of him being held up by Button, which cost him a tenth.  Without traffic, he would have easily made it into the top ten, so we are getting closer.

Q: The team tested its version of the f-duct during Saturday morning’s practice session. What conclusions were drawn?
SM: We gathered some good data from the new parts so it proved to be a worthwhile test, but we still have some work to do which is why we took the decision not to run it in qualifying. I expect it will take us a couple of months to get it working properly.

Q: Nico and Rubens were first and second fastest through the speed trap during qualifying. Did that surprise you?
SM: No, those speeds were recorded while the cars were in a tow and we weren’t running a high wing level.

Q: The team made a total of ten pitstops during the race, six for Nico and four for Rubens. How difficult was it to make strategic calls in the changeable conditions, and who made them?
SM: China was what we would term a "normal" hectic race. We made some good calls, but were also caught out by some bad ones.

Q: What can be taken from the weekend in China?
SM: We need to improve our qualifying pace. On a positive note, Rubens’ start was better than it was in Malaysia.

Q: Looking ahead to Barcelona, how do you expect the FW32 to perform? Will there be many technical upgrades?
SM: Like all the teams, we will have a series of planned upgrades for the cars in Spain and we’re hoping they will deliver the performance that we need going into the European rounds.