Formula One news

Column: "Finally the new car!"

The three weeks between Bahrain and Imola were over before I knew it. This is mainly caused because so many things has happened. As you probably have all seen, I did the shakedown of the PS05 at Mugello. 

I'm really happy that Minardi has finished the new chassis. The team didn't have a new chassis for three years so hopefully they can make a good step forward. The old car wasn't able to do a lot. We have to wait and see what this car can do at Imola, but the first day of testing with the car felt good. The Cosworth engine we will be running now, the same as Red Bull Racing is using, is also a big improvement. It's not a simple job to get a new car ready. It takes a couple of days to prepare the car for me and it takes a few days after the test to go through all the data but also to choose where I would like to have what button at the steering wheel, because the team let the drivers choose where we would like to have these buttons.

Last week on Tuesday, before we tested the new car, I went to Italy to visit the factory. For a few hours I went through all the data that we gathered from the Grand Prix in Bahrain. This way I'm able to see what we can improve for the next race. Why did I respond to a certain situation and should I perhaps have responded differently? Step by step we go through all the things that happened during the race. After that I fitted a new seat in the factory and then it was waiting for the big day: Friday, testing the new PS05.

Back at home I have been working out in the gym a lot. Sometimes I really don't want to work out but it's part of the job and it is really important to be fit so you won't hear my complaining. It's sometimes a pain in the …. that you have to watch everything you eat and train almost every day in the gym to stay fit, but that's also all part of the deal. You want to be as fit as possible for every race.

Sometimes though I get a day of. On Saturday it was my birthday. I celebrated it with my family and even had some cake! That doesn't harm a lot, as long as I don't start eating it every day!

more news

• 28 Nov.
  • Lola ready to enter Formula 1
  • Raikkonen close to Citroen WRC deal
  • Tung looking for 'useful' test
• 27 Nov.
  • Montreal seals Formula One contract
  • GPUpdate TV: Domenicali - high hopes for 2010
  • Jerez test: The cast
  • Wurz plays down USF1 link
  • Renault to test Baguette, Tung and Di Grassi
  • Alonso makes second visit to Ferrari
  • Force India confirms Sutil and Liuzzi
  • All new teams now FOTA members
  • Sauber buys team back from BMW
  • De la Rosa pushing for race drive
  • Ecclestone: I won't buy Donington
  • Haug becomes part of F1 in Schools
  • Volkswagen to provide F1 engines?
• 26 Nov.
  • Alguersuari: 2010 contract is signed
  • Conway and Ericsson to test for Mercedes
  • 4 driver options left for Lotus
  • 'F1 in need of Schumacher return' - Verstappen
• 25 Nov.
  • 'Fantastic opportunity' - Di Resta on Force India test
  • Recap: N.Technology court bid fails
  • BMW testers excited about Jerez
  • Brawn disappointed with Button drives, ponders Lauda
  • Piquet to drive in Massa kart race
  • Brawn aero chief wins award
  • Gillett disappointed with government position
  • Mercedes hopes to confirm line-up by Christmas
• 24 Nov.
  • Briatore verdict expected in January
  • Donington still hopeful over F1 race
  • Montreal race confirmation imminent
  • Massa names drivers for karting event
  • Campos car passes FIA safety tests
  • Strong test could seal drive, says Mallya
  • Force India to test di Resta and Hildebrand
  • Courts to hear Briatore case
  • Silverstone GP deal forthcoming
• 23 Nov.
  • GPUpdate TV: Sam Michael - building on 2009
  • Theissen waiting on entry decision
  • Mercedes delighted with Rosberg confirmation

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