Jaime Alguersuari equalled the best finish of his career with seventh while Toro Rosso scored their best result since Melbourne 2009.
Sebastien Buemi | Jaime Alguersuari | |
Qualifying position | 13 | 11 |
Qualifying time comparison (Q2) | 1’38.508 (+0.193) | 1’38.315 |
Race position | 9 | 7 |
Laps | 55/55 | 55/55 |
Pit stops | 2 | 2 |
Sebastien Buemi
Start tyre | Super soft |
Pit stop 1 | Soft 22.098s |
Pit stop 2 | Super soft 21.992s |
Buemi was tapped by Kamui Kobayashi at the first corner and dropped back three places to 17th.
But he made rapid progress, passing Heikki Kovalainen and then the two Williams drivers over the next three laps.
He claimed another victim in the DRS zone on lap seven, taking 13th off Kobayashi.
Buemi spent the second stint catching the Force Indias, and used the DRS zone again to demote Paul di Resta.
He found himself back behind the Force India in the final stint but once again he was able to take the VJM04 and claim ninth place.
Sebastien Buemi 2011 form guide
Jaime Alguersuari
Start tyre | Super soft |
Pit stop 1 | Super soft 22.301s |
Pit stop 2 | Soft 22.325s |
Alguersuari had a run-in with Sebastian Vettel in the final practice session, the world champion clearly getting agitated as he caught the Toro Rosso driver.
Alguersuari explained what happened: “I was on a long run, he was on his fast lap, so I let him by.
“Then he made a mistake so he was behind me, but he caught me again. Having already let him by once, I pushed for another lap on my long run. You cannot keep letting one driver pass you.
“I know it would have been easier for him if I had moved over again, but I also had a job to do to get enough data, because we had no information regarding a long run in the dry because of yesterday’s rain. I’m sorry about that, but they have to understand my point of view too.”
Alguersuari’s practice efforts paid off as he matched his best career result with seventh on race day.
His progress in the race was aided by the Toro Rosso being the best part of 4kph quicker than any other car through the speed trap. He passed both Force India drivers in the first stint and gained two more places after the crash between Michael Schumacher and Vitaly Petrov.
In the final stint he chased down Nico Rosberg and passed the Mercedes in the DRS zone on the penultimate lap – only to run wide and lose the place again.
He tried again on the final tour and this time he was successful, claiming a ‘best of the rest’ seventh behind the Red Bulls, McLarens and Ferraris.
He praised the team’s developments afterwards, saying: “The Toro Rosso team has done a fantastic job, not just this weekend, but also going back to Suzuka, where we introduced some updates on the car.
“In Japan, we did not make the most of them but in the few days in between the races the team has done really well to move forward for here.”
Formula 1
- Verstappen shatters Norris’ title hopes by winning from 17th in Interlagos rain
- Sainz reprimanded for causing “a potentially dangerous situation” after crash
- Mercedes fined €10,000 for tyre pressure errors on Hamilton and Russell’s cars
- Ocon complimented Verstappen on his race-winning pass
- Colapinto “very sad” after crashing twice on dire day for Williams
Mr draw
17th October 2011, 15:51
Great drive by both drivers. It looks as if Toro Rosso has improved over the season like Williams did last year. I hope they will finish 6th or 7th in the constructors’ championship.
BasCB (@bascb)
17th October 2011, 15:56
I feel Alguersuari is slowly growing into a more complete package. Still be bit inconsistent, but he really is a serious candidate for the driver of the weekend to me.
S.J.M (@sjm)
17th October 2011, 16:59
I had him as my Driver of the day. As you say, still a tad inconsistant but keeps improving.
Impressive result by him & Buemi.
AndrewTanner (@andrewtanner)
17th October 2011, 21:15
@BasCB No doubt about it that he was my driver of the weekend, one of the most enjoyable races of the season from him for me.
Fer no.65 (@fer-no65)
17th October 2011, 15:58
Great (and quiet) job by STR this season. I’ll be surprised if they don’t overtake Sauber in the end.
Jaime’s ahead of Di Resta in the championship too!
marco_ferrari
17th October 2011, 16:52
Good to see, it wasn t just the “saving tyres magic”… :) Well done, Jaime!
Now I believe Koba s position in standings is reachable…
AndrewTanner (@andrewtanner)
17th October 2011, 21:17
I absolutely loved their race! What a great result for them and especially Alguersuari. I know he had a far superior top speed but seeing him kill Rosberg on the long straight was just, wow!
Eggry (@eggry)
17th October 2011, 21:21
Alguersuari was amazing. Toro rosso’s top speed was astonishing(they were faster than DRS enabled top teams!), with good race pace, they managed to have very good race.
Veggen (@veggen)
17th October 2011, 22:13
Great race by ALG, hope he retains his seat for next year.
MattHT (@mattht)
17th October 2011, 23:52
A word for Buemi too, who pulled off numerous good overtakes, including Di Resta twice, I reckon he’d have been neck and neck with his teammate but for the early incident…
wasiF1 (@wasif1)
18th October 2011, 3:19
I didn’t see Horner in the RBR is he working secretly with the STR? I tip Jaime Alguersuari to Red Bull for 2013 after or if Webber leaves at the end of 2012.