Formula One news

Toro Rosso encouraged by positive day

Sébastien Buemi enjoyed his first ever practice session on the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit on Friday. With a mix of weather conditions and corners alike, the Swiss driver confirmed that the 'Option' Soft compound tyre is better suited to the car after its first day of running in the Ardennes.

Alguersuari winds up inside the top ten on his first Formula One appearance at Spa

With a dry second session in the afternoon following a principally wet first 90-minute period in the morning, Buemi wound up just outside the top ten and in eleventh position. "This is a beautiful circuit and we had a very good car so I am happy with the way things went today," the 20-year-old said after practice.

"We managed to improve the car lap after lap and we are working in the right direction. I think we have good speed although we won't get the full picture until qualifying tomorrow. There is not that much difference between the two types of tyre but, as always, we are a little bit faster on the Option."

Team-mate Jaime Alguersuari placed even better with ninth, despite a suspected engine failure in the final minute of the afternoon session. "In the past I've been competitive here in Formula 3 and other series and I think today went quite well," he commented. "It's nice to drive a Formula One car on a track where you feel at ease."

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