Q & a with Adrian Sutil

Q. You've now completed your winter testing programme. What are your general impressions of the VJM02?

Adrian Sutil: My feeling is that we are OK right now. We obviously still have a lot of work to do and we need a bit more time to fully understand the systems and the car's behaviour, but the first days have been good with a lot of laps, especially in Barcelona. We could do our programme there without incident and without any technical problems. The car feels very different from last year - we have got quite a lot of front grip and it has improved in high speed corners. We have a better balance but we just need a bit more downforce now.

Q. As we are now at the end of testing Fridays will be much more critical. How do you intend to approach them now?

AS: For sure Fridays are more important now, although with the engine limits we have to be careful not to do too many laps. I think the programme will be more expansive now compared to last year and we have to use them very carefully to develop new parts for the car. This is now our only chance to do this during the season.

Q. How is the feeling in the team now?

AS: I feel good in the team as I've been here for four years so it's a long time together. The atmosphere is very good, everyone is working and getting on with their own job, there are no problems at all. Q. Do you think you can judge where you are within the field from winter testing?

AS: It is difficult to say right now. Every team had a good run and most did a qualifying simulation where they did good lap times so we know a little about who is strong. Our performance I would say will not be straight away in the midfield, but I would hope we will not be starting at the back again - I expect more for this season!

Q. Qualifying was the team's Achilles heel last year to a certain extent. Could you see any improvement from the qualifying simulations you conducted in Barcelona?

AS: We had a good run for qualifying and we could do a good first lap but it seems there is no tyre peak at the moment. They seem consistent so you can do a first, second and third lap and the car is always the same and the grip level fairly constant. I do think though that the cooler temperatures worked in our favour for this so once we go to a warmer country it might be more difficult to use the soft tyre on a perfect level.

Q. And how did you feel over the longer runs?

AS: The data was consistent and clear and I felt very comfortable over the race run, especially on the softer tyre. The harder one was more difficult to get working as it was too cold outside, but these tyres are more for warm conditions anyway so we will have to wait to get a clearer picture.

Q. What are your aims going into Melbourne?

AS: Australia is a really nice circuit, a bit like a street circuit with lots of corners. It's long at 5.3km, but there are not so many straights so there is always something going on and you can't rest. We always seem to get a good race there - last year there were a lot of accidents and with the new safety car regs this year it could be interesting again. At least the pitlane is open all the time now if there is a problem, which is better.

It was very confusing last year and nobody actually knew what to do - I'm sure there will be some discussions after the first use, but that's always how it is! Hopefully to have a good race straight away, with no problems. I want to finish for sure, but we will see where we are in qualifying and then I can say where I want to be in the race.