Vergne hopes for a good result at Monza
MotorsInside is present in the Monza paddock, and we had the opportunity to meet Jean-Eric Vergne, who spoke to us about the new technical director of the Toro Rosso team, James Key, the Monza circuit, and safety in F1.
James Key is the new technical director of the Toro Rosso team but recently, Jean-Eric Vergne had the opportunity to briefly meet him before the British engineer’s official start at Toro Rosso: “Yes, we met earlier. We talked a bit, and I invited him to dinner with Franz (Tost, the Toro Rosso team director) so we could get to know each other better. At first glance, he seems to be a nice character,” JEV confided.
After placing its two single-seaters in the points at Spa, thanks to race circumstances, the Italian team would like to achieve a new result in Italy: « We’re going to try to get a good result. The new technical director (James Key) is starting to work this weekend, we’re going to try to give him a nice gift for his arrival. »
The Italian Grand Prix is a special event for the team based in Faenza, located just under 300km from Monza, as it was there that they clinched their first, and so far only, Grand Prix victory in 2008 with Sebastian Vettel at the wheel: « There are many people who will come to the Grand Prix, it’s kind of like our home circuit. Quite historic for Toro Rosso, as it’s their only win on this circuit. »
The Italian track presents particular challenges and it’s not so easy to tackle as Jean-Eric Vergne explains to us: « You have to ride the curbs, the braking is very, very important, as is the acceleration, you also have to manage the wheelspin to avoid excessive tire wear, it looks like a simple circuit at first sight, but it’s a complicated, technical circuit. »
The French driver also reflected on the Spa accident and the potential consequences, notably in terms of enhancing driver safety: “I think that even without the Spa accident, the FIA is working on this issue. I am almost convinced that in a few years, we will have something to prevent such catastrophes that could have happened to Fernando at Spa or like with Felipe in Budapest in 2009. We will surely, very certainly, get to that point. Aesthetically, we might feel uncomfortable, but if it can prevent major accidents, that’s the main thing, and that will be essential.”
From our correspondent in Monza.
