Brendon Hartley says he is very optimistic about Toro Rosso’s aerodynamic upgrade after running it for the first time in practice yesterday.
Hartley ended second practice sixth-fastest – ahead of Lewis Hamilton, Kimi Raikkonen and Valtteri Bottas – which he said was a “pretty genuine” reflection of their performance.After practice Hartley said the new aerodynamic parts didn’t offer a major gain in terms of performance but greatly improved his feel for the car.
“We tested the new aero kit which Pierre tested in Austin,” said Hartley after practice. “I’m really optimistic about this.
“In the simulation it’s really small numbers. With the drag penalty we’re talking half a tenth or so in terms of how much quicker it is. But the other side of it is the balance through the corners.
“What it’s meant to be giving us is exactly what I’ve been asking for all season. Pierre and I have very different driving styles and what I require is sometimes very different.
“Sometimes it can hurt me, sometimes can benefit me. But this aero kit is in the direction I’ve been asking for all season so I’m excited about it from that point of view.
“There’s still obviously a bit to be tested but [Friday] looks really promising and P6 seemed pretty genuine actually.”
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Jere (@jerejj)
27th October 2018, 15:44
I doubt it.
BMF66
27th October 2018, 22:11
Yup. Genuinely slow today. Not pretty.
Adam (@rocketpanda)
27th October 2018, 16:19
Could it be that Hartley’s a bit like Button? Really picky with how the car works to the point if it doesn’t work EXACTLY how he likes it he’s nowhere, but if it is working the way he wants he’s near perfect? Maybe he’s found what he’s looking for?
Seems like Toro Rosso aren’t too keen on changing if they don’t have to. If he can keep this kind of pace through qualifying and the race and the remaining ones there’s no reason to replace him. If he fails to deliver here I think he’s out though.
BMF66
27th October 2018, 22:12
No.
NS Biker (@rekibsn)
27th October 2018, 17:42
Let’s see what Qualifying brings. Not the final answer, but an indicator.
The team is always going to be reluctant to change one car and not the other, especially when $$$ are tight, which is clearly the case.
If BH picks it up in the last races of the year, question then is where is this going next year and why has it taken so long.??
BMF66
27th October 2018, 22:14
@rekibsn there you go.