Early Indicators Are Positive
STR photo
By Andrew Cutler
March 17 2012
For a squad who's stated goal for this season is to finish (at least) sixth in the WCC, Scuderia Toro Rosso look to be pretty much on target after the checkered flag fell on qualifying for tomorrow's Australian GP. Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne both put in very admirable efforts on Saturday and, as a result, will start 10th and 11th, respectively, on Sunday.
For the most part, we find the 'usual suspects' up front, though not in the order that we all became accustomed to last year. The one exception was Ferrari, who's pre-season struggles sadly (well; for them, anyways!) have not been corrected. To be fair, there is every chance that Daniel Riccardo might not have made it to Q3 had Fernando Alonso not spun off and beached his car in the gravel trap during Q2.
That being said, the folks from Faenza have to be well pleased with where they are at the moment: They look to be clear of the Saubers (to say nothing of the three relative 'new' outfits) and have split the Force India and Williams squads: And with STR opting not to even send Daniel Ricciardo out to post a time in Q3, there may yet be more pace to be seen.
Only time will tell for sure but, Ferarri being Ferarri, one expects that they will get their ship righted before too long.
Sunday's GP certainly has the potential to get STR off to a strong start for 2012.
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editor's note:
I have been waiting for nearly twelve hours for post-qualy comments from the team, but have found none online so far!
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Ricciardo knows this track from his BMW days. Hope he pulls out a blinder!