Saturday: First Q2 of the year for Toro Rosso!

Small satisfaction today for Scuderia Toro Rosso as they reach the second part of qualifying for the first time. Everyone knows that the STR4 is far from its end-of-2008 level, but the team is working hard to make these drivers competitive, likely for the first European race in Spain.

For now, the hierarchy is respected as it’s the Frenchman Sébastien Bourdais who secures a 15th place on the starting grid in Sepang. On the other hand, Sébastien Buemi showed his inexperience with a mistake that kept him out of Q2, relegating him to 20th position.

Sébastien Bourdais – 19th and 15th:

« We were quicker than expected in qualifying which was excellent, even if it’s still not the desired position. I expect the car to be even more developed perhaps before Spain. I’m not sure I want rain tomorrow but it could very well be our best chance to score points. »

Sebastien Buemi – 18th and 20th:

With my penultimate set of tires, I made it to Q2 and then on my last lap, I really improved in sectors one and two. Unfortunately, in the last sector, I hit the curb and ended up in the gravel. It’s very frustrating.

« For tomorrow, the best thing for me would be to have very changing conditions and thus take advantage of any unusual situation that might occur. »

Giorgio Ascanelli – Technical Director:

« Once again, I am satisfied with the reliability of our cars: Over the five days of operation so far in the championship, we had an issue with a minor component yesterday afternoon. »

« Bringing a car into Q2 is a success. Of course, we could have done better, but we need to consider our level of understanding of the car. Today, Buemi made a mistake, but that’s normal; he’s young. He must learn from Bourdais’s experience, who did a good job. »