• Canadian Grand Prix

Toro Rosso praises drivers after double points finish

ESPNF1 Staff
June 12, 2011 « Bittersweet race for Schumacher | »
Both Toro Rossos finished in the points after a hectic race © Sutton Images
Enlarge

Toro Rosso team principal Franz Tost praised both his drivers after they took the team's first double points finish at the Canadian Grand Prix.

The Toro Rosso pit wall read the changing conditions over the race to perfection with Jaime Alguersuari and moved the Spaniard from last at the start to eighth by the chequered flag. Sebastien Buemi also had a good race and both drivers will welcome the results after facing pressure over their futures at the team in recent weeks.

"For Scuderia Toro Rosso, this is our best result of the year, as it is the first time we have got both our cars home in the points," said Tost. "I am very happy for Jaime that he finished eighth, getting his first points of the season. It will be good for his self-confidence as he has been struggling slightly in recent races and we can expect better things from him now, in Valencia and the following races. Sebastien also did a good job, coming home tenth. Our strategy worked well, gambling to come in early to change to slicks, which proved to be the correct decision and paid off. In fact, the whole team deserves praise today, as it was not easy managing the situation over such a long time with the break in the middle of the race, but they did an excellent job."

Alguersuari thanked the team for picking the right strategy to allow him to charge through the field.

"I am very happy because to finish eighth having started last from the pit lane is a really good result for us," he said. "I am also very pleased that I have scored my first points of the season, even if I know there is still room for improvement on my side and in terms of how we set up the car to suit me, especially in qualifying. Today, the team did a good job and we also made the most of every opportunity that came our way, some of them down to the bad luck of other teams. We ran a perfect strategy in terms of when we decided to stop to change tyres."

Buemi said his results could have been even better if he had stayed out a little longer on the intermediate tyres instead of switching to slicks.

"Of course, I am pleased to have scored a point as that is always important," he said. "However, I am a bit disappointed because I think I could have done better myself and I'm not sure if changing to the slicks so early worked for me. But, looking at the overall result, including Jaime's eighth place, I am very happy for the team, who did such a good job.

"It seems something unusual always happens at this race and today's turned out to be a bit longer than expected, but stopping the race was the only correct decision because the cars were aquaplaning and visibility was very bad. I am sure the whole afternoon was very spectacular for the spectators! Now we must continue to work hard to be in good shape for Valencia."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
ESPN Staff Close