STR set to race new car in Turkey

The Italian outfit have been forced to start the campaign with an updated version of last year's STR2 because they did not have the resources to get the new car ready in time for Melbourne.

And although there are some hopes that the familiarity of the old car could prove beneficial at the start of the season, the team's technical director Giorgio Ascanelli says the STR3 cannot come soon enough.

"We are planning to take one to the test at Barcelona in the beginning of April, and then to make our debut in Turkey - god pleasing," he said in Melbourne on Wednesday.

When asked if he felt the team had any advantages by not using the new car straight away, he said: "I don't think we do.

"I really think now the level of reliability which the big guns reach guarantees that they finish. I think we have done what we could in respect of reliability, but it is true that we have been progressively faster at each test.

"I think that our maximum was around Barcelona in January. Then we were faster than most people's new cars. But when you have a team that is 500, 600 or 1000 people strong, from the middle of January to the middle of March, they do so many things that we couldn't possibly do. I think we are around 14th or 15th position on the grid, and I hope we can do that with honours."

Ascanelli believes his team are still struggling with the reliability of new components on their STR2B - particular in the hydraulics and gearbox area.

And despite missing the cut with the new car this year, Ascanelli insists the team will be okay for 2009 - when a big overhaul of regulations will force the to race the new car from the first race.

"If you have a limited amount of resources, you need to start earlier to make the time. This year was not possible and I am responsible because I arrived late last year.

"I had to see how the team reacts and what we have to do. And to have a strategy. Now I know what our strengths and weaknesses are, I can put in place a strategy that will give us the new car by Melbourne next year."