STR team runs into testing setback

Sebastien Buemi

The lack of laps tell their own story today. After Sebastien Bourdais had completed just 14 laps, a problem was identified on the front suspension of the new STR4, which could not be solved completely without the arrival of new parts from the factory back in Faenza.

Therefore, rather than continue with car development testing, it was decided by the STR team to put Sebastien Buemi in the car, running just "in" and "out" laps, while carrying out basic systems checks. The reason for the driver switch is that Bourdais had already run in the new car yesterday and on two days last week at the Adria circuit in Italy, therefore it was decided to give Buemi a chance to try his seat position and get a feel for the car for the first time, prior to starting testing proper tomorrow.