Toro Rosso – Jerez Test, December 3 2009

Circuit: Jerez de la Frontera – 4.423 kms
Driver: Mirko Bortolotti / Brendon Hartley
Chassis: STR4 – 03
Best time: 1:23.271, 34 laps / 1:22.493, 50 laps

The final day of this session, aimed at young drivers saw Mirko Bortolotti at the wheel of the STR 4 in the morning, with Brendon Hartley taking over for the afternoon. The three days produced plenty of aero measurement data for our engineers to work on for next year and, although frustrating for the drivers, as it affected their lap times, the car was run in heavyweight configuration for most of the time, in order to assess the impact of running heavy fuel loads next year.

“I am very happy to have been given this opportunity by Red Bull and it was an honour to drive for Toro Rosso,” said Mirko Bortolotti. “I felt comfortable with the team where everyone made me feel welcome. It was a very interesting experience, especially testing some things that might be used on next year’s car. It’s a shame that it started to rain today, which prevented me using a new set of tyres, but that’s the way it is.”

“I was really happy with this half day,” said Brendon Hartley. “We did a lot of running and I think my pace was pretty good, when fuel- corrected, so from my side I’m quite happy. It was interesting for me to work with so many people, with such a big team, as I am used to working with just one engineer. It was a great experience and I really want to say thank you to Red Bull.”

“Both drivers did a good job,” commented Franz Tost. “They are talented and if they do well in other racing categories in 2010, I think they have a good chance of being up to the required standard to make it into Formula 1 in 2011. We completed many laps and we achieved our main targets, namely to get an impression of both the drivers and to carry out some tests aimed at next year.”

Toro Rosso – Jerez Test, December 2 2009

Circuit: Jerez de la Frontera – 4.423 kms
Driver: Mirko Bortolotti
Chassis: STR4 – 03
Best time: 1:21.761, 79 laps

An Italian driving for an Italian team was our scenario today, as Mirko Bortolotti took over from Brendon Hartley in the cockpit of the STR4. The 19 year old from Trento had already experienced the joys of Formula 1, when he drove a Ferrari at Fiorano just over a year ago as his prize for winning the 2008 Italian Formula 3 championship. This year, Mirko, who is a product of the Red Bull Junior Driver programme, finished fourth in the FIA Formula 2 series.

The car suffered some mechanical problems in the morning, which reduced running time. Therefore in the afternoon, the team opted to run Mirko almost continuously to make up for lost time. The technical programme was similar to yesterday’s, with the team carrying out aero and brake evaluation, as well as running the car heavy to replicate the full fuel load required as a result of the banning of race refueling next season.

“I really enjoyed today,” said Mirko at the end of the session. “Being able to help the team with testing for next year was very interesting, even though I had to spend some time in the garage in the morning. With so little testing allowed in Formula 1, today was very important for me, giving me the chance to do some miles.”

For tomorrow’s final day of testing of 2009, Mirko Bortolotti will drive in the morning, with Brendon Hartley taking over in the afternoon.

Toro Rosso – Jerez Test, December 1 2009

Circuit: Jerez de la Frontera – 4.423 kms
Driver:  Brendon Hartley
Chassis: STR4 – 03
Best time: 1:21.325, 69 laps

It is “kindergarten week” at the Jerez circuit in Southern Spain as several Formula 1 teams are taking part in a three day session specifically aimed at young drivers. The criterion for taking part in the test is that a driver should not have driven in more than three Formula 1 Grands Prix.

Today, Brendon Hartley was at the wheel of the STR4. His programme did not get off to the best of starts, as he spun at the fast right hander, following the chicane, having just switched to different aero settings on the car. The damage was repaired in time for the New Zealander to get back on track by the end of the morning. His programme had three main elements: aero measurement testing in view of 2010, running the car with ballast to simulate the weight of next year’s cars on full tanks, as refueling is banned, and carrying out some brake testing.

“Apart from going off the track early on, I was generally happy with the way the day went, as I had not driven an F1 car for a while, so now I’m looking forward to making the best of Thursday when I get another run.”

Tomorrow, the STR4 will be entrusted to Mirko Bortolotti.

3rd Driver Lucky

Jaime Alguersuari sits on the Toro Rosso pitwall during the Spanish Grand Prix this year. Red Bull announced today that he will take the place of Brendon Hartley as third driver, and Alguersuari says that he’s aiming to get a race seat at STR by next year.

Credit: Peter Fox/Getty Images

01-Jul-09: Red Bull Replace Hartley as Third Driver

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Welcome to F1 Minute and Welcome to July! It’s the first of the month.

Red Bull announced today that they would be switching third driver Hartley for British F3 Champ Alguersuari. Apparently this has always been part of the plan, with Hartley set to concentrate on his European F3 drive. Alguersuari says his aim is to get a seat at Toro Rosso for next season, with most assuming he would replace Bourdais. However, he says: “It’s going to be tough and there is not much testing to do. But once you get to F1, everything changes. We have seen that with guys like Buemi and Vettel.”

Elsewhere, Bridgestone confirmed the tyre compounds they’d be bringing for four more races from Hungary onwards. They have dropped the extra step in compounds this time, with Hungary and Valencia having the two softest, whilst Belgium and Italy benefit from the soft and mediums. Bridgestone haven’t confirmed if the idea is gone completely but admits that for the next few races, the gap would be just too big to be safe.

That’s all for now, please join me again tomorrow for another F1 Minute.

Waiting in the Wings

Brendon Hartley watches the action during the Jerez test in December 2008. Hartley has been granted his superlicence which means he now steps up to the role of reserve driver at Red Bull. He was in line for the role but waiting for the paperwork which meant Coulthard had stepped in for the first few races.

Credit: Jasper Juinen/Getty Images

01-May-09: Hartley Granted Super Licence and RBR Role

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This is F1 Minute and it’s the 1st May 2009.

Brendon Hartley has finally been granted his super-licence by the FIA, which means that he can take over from Coulthard as third driver for Red Bull Racing. Hartley was always in the running for the role, and he now says: “I know that with the in-season testing ban, I’m not likely to get much cockpit time, but I will be part of the team and will learn a lot from that.”

Elsewhere, Ferrari boss Luca di Montezemolo has complained about the budget cap regulations revealed by the FIA  yesterday. He wrote a letter to Max Mosley suggesting that monitoring any sort of cap is going to be very difficult to do, and he is concerned that the two-tier system will eventually create a championship that would quote: “…create confusion in the public’s mind which would seriously lower the value of F1.” So far, the only person who appears to have spoken out in favour of the budget caps is Jenson Button, who has said the smaller teams such as his own need to be able to guarantee their future.

That’s it for today, I’ll be back tomorrow for another F1 Minute.

Coulthard Makes a Mess of Albert Park

Last year, during the Australian Grand Prix, David Coulthard and Massa collided, leaving the Red Bull in pieces. The significant damage was repeated during the next few races, leaving Red Bull facing questions of safety from the FIA. Meanwhile, Coulthard’s year ended as it had begun – with a DNF. He may get the chance to return, though, as he fills in for Brendon Hartley as RBR reserve driver until the young driver gets his superlicence.
Credit: Mark Thompson/Getty Images

25-Mar-09: Coulthard Stands In as RBR Reserve

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Welcome to F1 Minute for the 25th March 2009.

Although Red Bull confirmed that Brendon Hartley will be the third driver for both themselves and Toro Rosso this year, his superlicence has been delayed, meaning they’ve turned to Coulthard to step up if the unlikely occurs. Hartley should be available by the time F1 returns to Europe, meaning that DC’s retirement could be over before it’s begun! In other reserve driver news, Grandprix.com is reporting that Anthony Davidson will take up the role for Brawn GP. Both Anthony and DC will have to work their new positions around their BBC broadcasting commitments.

Elsewhere, Mark Webber has visited some of the regions that were affected by the recent fires in Australia. He toured some of the areas, and talked with the locals who have to deal with the aftermath of the devastation. Mark has also promised to give royalties from all his personal merchandise sales to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal.

That’s it for today, please join me again tomorrow for another F1 Minute.

15-Dec-08: Algarve and Jerez Tests Kick Off

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This is F1 Minute and it’s the 15th December 2008.

There were two tests going on today, with McLaren and Ferrari at the new Algarve track, and Red Bull, BMW and Williams all still at Jerez. The Portuguese track was very picturesque but suffered from high speed winds, and Massa only managed 36 laps before calling it a day as he felt ill. Gary Paffett managed to complete double the distance and was a second faster than the Ferrari.

At Jerez, Buemi continued to lead the way as he did last week, only this time he was on duty in the Red Bull. He finished ahead of Heidfeld in the BMW and Brendon Hartley, also in a Red Bull, who’s hoping to get his superlicence asap. Nico Hulkenberg in the Williams completed 100 laps but finished the day last of five drivers.

Finally, this weekend, Renault boss Flavio Briatore let slip that he will walk away from Formula 1 in 2010, after being asked if he wanted to join home-team Ferrari. He said he wouldn’t be in the sport long enough.

That’s it for today, please join me again tomorrow for another F1 Minute.