Heat an important factor for Alguersuari

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F1 Grand Prix, GP Europe, Valencia Street Circuites

After a well-deserved summer break, the Formula One drivers got back to the track today during the first two free practice sessions of the European Grand Prix at Valencia. Toro Rosso drivers Sebastian Buemi and Jaime Alguersuari had a bit of difficulties with the heat in the cockpit as they were trying to get the best set-up for the car.

Morning: Sébastien 1:43.389 (11th) 30 laps; Jaime 1:43.637 (13th) 30 laps. Afternoon: Sébastien 1:41.156 (16th) 34 laps; Jaime 1:42.089 (19th) 34 laps.

Sebastien Buemi (STR4-03)
“It was really hot today in the cockpit, especially as we were doing long runs in preparation for the race. The track was very dirty and green at first but it improved continuously, especially in the final ten minutes of the last session, so you had to be out on track at that moment, if you wanted a good lap time. We’ve got a new front wing here and it seems to bring the benefits we expected, which is positive. Now, as always we need to analyse the day’s data to see how we can improve for tomorrow. I am quite confident we can have a good weekend.”
First Practice Session
Best lap 1.43.389, pos. 11th, 30 laps
Second Practice Session Best lap 1.41.156, pos. 16th, 34 laps

Jaime Alguersuari (STR4-02)
“The heat was an important factor for me today, as I have not had that much time in a Formula One car yet and the high temperatures made things worse from that point of view. The day’s work went quite well and we made good progress, even if we went a bit far on set-up changes in the morning, which meant that as track conditions changed in the afternoon, our performance didn’t really get better. We need to improve the car and I need to drive better on the Option tyre. Not a bad first day overall.”
First Practice Session
Best lap 1.43.637, pos. 13th, 30 laps
Second Practice Session Best lap 1.42.089, pos. 19th, 34 laps