Formula one

As he tests in Malaysia this week, Toro Rosso’s Scott Speed is optimistic that new parts will enhance the performance of the STR2 - and his chance of scoring points in 2007. But after the disappointment of retirement in Melbourne, Speed is keeping a firm lid on expectations - as he explains exclusively to Formula1.com, just five points would make him a happy man…

Q: Last year you were happy just to be in Formula One racing - the first American driver in years. This year presumably you’ll be looking for more?
Scott Speed: Well, goals in Formula One are always changing as the competitiveness of the car changes. At the moment, as a team, we are hoping to be in the points a few times this year. If I came away with something like five points at the end of the year I would be very happy, but it is dependent on such a lot of things…

Q: You were the last 2007 driver to be confirmed - to what degree was your position at risk and what finally swung the pendulum in your favour?
SS: I was never worried about my seat because I knew I had a contract to drive. Even if uncertainty didn’t help I worked very hard over the winter. Everything is fine now and we are all pushing forward.

Q: Toro Rosso co-owner Gerhard Berger has predicted the team will be towards the rear of the grid for the first couple of races due to limited testing. Nevertheless, had you hoped for something more in Melbourne?
SS: For sure we hoped until qualifying that we would have had a good performance regardless of the lack of testing, but after Q1 we realized fully the effects the lack of testing had had.

Q: Toro Rosso pushed quite strongly in 2006 with the Cosworth and Michelin package. What are the biggest issues you face with the new Ferrari and Bridgestone combination?
SS: I think that the engine and tyres are not our problems - they are not part of the package that is missing performance. Maybe we can learn a bit more of the tyres here in Sepang, but the main problems lie elsewhere. We are doing now what we should have done during the pre-season tests... nothing more. The car has already shown good potential... it's now up to us to translate it into results.

Q: Testing in Sepang is something new and gives Toro Rosso some much-needed test mileage. What are you concentrating on? Melbourne gave the impression that the STR2 is perhaps not the easiest car to drive...
SS: The test here is quite important and we will probably make a big step forward. We are adding a few parts and most importantly getting a feel for our car to try and make it easier to drive and less on the edge. And it is already easier after one day. I will add more mileage Wednesday morning, then Tonio (Liuzzi) will take over for the remaining time. Then we will see what the race brings.

Q: Last season Toro Rosso were at times ahead of Red Bull Racing - the junior team making the pace! How likely are we to see that this year?
SS: At the beginning of the year it will be quite difficult for us to compete with Red Bull Racing, but as the season gets further along I think we will have a good chance against the veterans.

Q: This year the Red Bull stable has two veterans and two youngsters under one roof. Will it be a learning period for you, or flat-out competition? How is the mood in the Energy Station right now?
SS: For sure it will be flat-out competition and I don't see any reason why they should be faster than us. On track we will fight against them, as much as against all the others. In the Energy Station? We cohabit well together.

McLaren’s fresh start paid off in Australia. Their two new drivers both finished on the podium, leaving the Mercedes-powered team atop the constructors’ standings. After such a fantastic result, no wonder Norbert Haug, Mercedes-Benz Motorsport Vice President, was smiling…

Q: Melbourne was a fantastic beginning to a new era at McLaren. You must be very satisfied…Norbert Haug: Great satisfaction is the feeling you get after a one-two result in a Formula One Grand Prix, but of course the start of the season for Vodafone McLaren Mercedes was a good one. I was particularly pleased for all our team members in Woking, Brixworth and Stuttgart who have worked so hard for a great 2007 season. Their first reward was that no team scored more points than us in Melbourne.

Q: Nearly everybody expected Fernando Alonso to be on the podium, but the fact that Lewis Hamilton was able to keep up with him is quite sensational. Do you agree the risky strategy of signing a rookie has paid off? NH: Both drivers did a very good job and Lewis surprised a few people in his very first Formula One Grand Prix. Fernando and Lewis are an extremely competent combination, we have great confidence in both of them and there is a very good spirit inside the team. But all of that does not make any of us complacent. The team and the drivers created a good baseline in Melbourne, we all want to build on that and improve our package to be in a position to win races on a regular basis, like we did one and a half years ago when we won last.

Q: Even so, Kimi Raikkonen was almost half a second faster in the Ferrari in qualifying. How will you deal with that?
NH: Ferrari and Kimi were faster in both qualifying and the race. I think we have a pretty good understanding of what is going on and whilst Kimi did not push to the limit after his first pit stop, we didn’t either because we realised that second and third would be the best possible results for Vodafone McLaren Mercedes in the race.

Q: Has the weekend in Melbourne given you any indications where the shortfalls are?
NH: Our package is certainly a good one, but we have identified room for improvement.

Q: And will the test session next week in Kuala Lumpur help to close the gap?NH: As everybody will be testing, all the teams will be hoping to improve their performance. We have to improve even quicker than the competition in order to catch up and overtake. Every team member is focused on this.

Q: With the regulations specifying you must use both tyre compounds in the race, strategy has become even more important. Were you able to find a workable strategy in Melbourne? NH: Our strategy was okay. Fernando and Lewis went three and four laps further than Kimi, but (even) with the same amount of fuel they would not have qualified ahead of the Ferrari anyway - so we did everything right.

Q: How do you think the tyre regulations will influence results?NH: Bridgestone did a competent job in Melbourne. We will see races this year where teams can use the softer tyre for two stints and others where teams will probably use the soft compound for one stint and for fewer laps. It will be interesting to see how these races will develop.

Q: Melbourne finally revealed McLaren’s position in comparison to its competitors. Were there any surprises for you?
NH: The order was very much the same as one of the last tests in Bahrain ahead of the new season. We need to improve by one place!

Q: Do you think this season will be a shoot-out between Ferrari and McLaren? NH: This is difficult to tell. Renault will be strong, Honda will catch up, BMW is trying hard. Toyota pushes and works very hard for six years - all is set for a great and interesting season and we want a Mercedes star to cross the line first on as many occasions as possible.