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08 Feb 2010

Exclusive Sebastien Buemi Q&A: I’m better prepared for 2010

The fact that Toro Rosso beat their senior team Red Bull to the test track at the opening Valencia session raised more than a few eyebrows up and down the pit lane last week. Whilst Red Bull focused on last-minute wind tunnel work with their RB6, the Faenza-based squad decided to test the new STR5 on the circuit.

Driver Sebastien Buemi couldn’t have agreed more with his team’s hands-on approach and here he gives his verdict on his new car…

VOTE

Of the three fastest teams from Valencia testing, who would you tip for victory in Bahrain?

BMW Sauber
start point start point start point 27.09%
Ferrari
start point start point start point 39.25%
McLaren
start point start point start point 33.66%

GALLERY

Testing at Valencia, Spain, 1-3 February 2010

  • Mercedes GP MGP W01 detail. Formula One Testing, Day Three, Valencia, Spain, Wednesday 3 February 2010.
  • Fans flock into the grandstands to see Fernando Alonso (ESP) test the Ferrari for the first time. Formula One Testing, Day Three, Valencia, Spain, Wednesday 3 February 2010.
  • (L to R): Ross Brawn (GBR) Mercedes GP Team Principal with Michael Schumacher (GER) Mercedes GP. Formula One Testing, Day Three, Valencia, Spain, Wednesday 3 February 2010.
  • Michael Schumacher (GER) Mercedes GP MGP W01. Formula One Testing, Day Three, Valencia, Spain, Wednesday 3 February 2010.
  • Michael Schumacher (GER) Mercedes GP MGP W01. Formula One Testing, Day Three, Valencia, Spain, Wednesday 3 February 2010.
  • Jaime Alguersuari (ESP) Scuderia Toro Rosso STR5. Formula One Testing, Day Three, Valencia, Spain, Wednesday 3 February 2010.

VIRTUAL INSANITY?

Virgin Racing reveal the VR-01

Designed entirely in the digital domain using CFD, can Virgin Racing's new car pass muster?

FIGHTING TALK

Q&A with Robert Kubica

He may not have been Valencia's fastest runner, but the Renault driver is feeling optimistic…

GALLERY

Virgin Racing VR-01 launch, UK, 3 February 2010

  • The Virgin VR-01. Virgin Racing VR-01 Launch, England, 3 February 2010.
  • The Virgin VR-01. Virgin Racing VR-01 Launch, England, 3 February 2010
  • The Virgin VR-01. Virgin Racing VR-01 Launch, England, 3 February 2010.

GALLERY

Williams FW32 launch, Valencia, Spain, 1 February 2010

  • Rubens Barrichello (BRA) Williams FW32. Formula One Testing, Day One, Valencia, Spain, Monday 1 February 2010.
  • Sam Michael (AUS) Williams Technical Director. Formula One Testing, Day One, Valencia, Spain, Monday 1 February 2010.
  • Rubens Barrichello (BRA) Williams FW32. Formula One Testing, Day One, Valencia, Spain, Monday 1 February 2010.

GALLERY

Mercedes GP MGP W01 launch, Valencia, Spain, 1 February 2010

  • Mercedes GP MGP W01 detail. Formula One Testing, Day One, Valencia, Spain, Monday 1 February 2010.
  • Mercedes GP MGP W01 detail. Formula One Testing, Day One, Valencia, Spain, Monday 1 February 2010.
  • Mercedes GP MGP W01 detail. Formula One Testing, Day One, Valencia, Spain, Monday 1 February 2010.

GALLERY

Toro Rosso STR5 launch, Valencia, Spain, 1 February 2010

  • Jaime Alguersuari (ESP) Scuderia Toro Rosso and Sebastien Buemi (SUI) Scuderia Toro Rosso with the Scuderia Toro Rosso STR5. Formula One Testing, Day One, Valencia, Spain, Monday 1 February 2010.
  • Scuderia Toro Rosso STR5 detail. Formula One Testing, Day One, Valencia, Spain, Monday 1 February 2010.
  • Scuderia Toro Rosso STR5 detail. Formula One Testing, Day One, Valencia, Spain, Monday 1 February 2010.

GALLERY

Renault R30 launch, Valencia, Spain, 31 January 2010

  • Vitaly Petrov (RUS) Renault R30. Renault R30 Launch, Valencia, Spain, Sunday 31 January 2010.
  • Renault R30 front wing detail. Renault R30 Launch, Valencia, Spain, Sunday 31 January 2010.
  • Renault R30 detail. Renault R30 Launch, Valencia, Spain, Sunday 31 January 2010.

GALLERY

BMW Sauber C29 launch, Valencia, Spain, 31 January 2010

  • BMW Sauber C29. BMW Sauber Launch, Valencia, Spain, Sunday 31 January 2010.
  • BMW Sauber C29. BMW Sauber Launch, Valencia, Spain, Sunday 31 January 2010.
  • Kamui Kobayashi (JPN) BMW Sauber. BMW Sauber Launch, Valencia, Spain, Sunday 31 January 2010.

GALLERY

McLaren MP4-25 launch, Newbury, UK, 29 January 2010

  • Jenson Button (GBR) McLaren and Lewis Hamilton (GBR) McLaren unveil the MP4/25. McLaren MP4/25 Launch, Vodafone UK Headquarters, Newbury, England, Friday 29 January 2010.
  • Detail of the McLaren MP4/25. McLaren MP4/25 Launch, Vodafone UK Headquarters, Newbury, England, Friday 29 January 2010.
  • Detail of the McLaren MP4/25. McLaren MP4/25 Launch, Vodafone UK Headquarters, Newbury, England, Friday 29 January 2010.

GALLERY

Ferrari F10 launch, Maranello, Italy, 28 January 2010

  • The new Ferrari F10, January 28, 2010
  • Drivers Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso at the launch of the new Ferrari F10, January 28, 2010
  • Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo and drivers Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso at the launch of the new Ferrari F10, January 28, 2010

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Mercedes GP's Ross Brawn

He's experienced championship glory with Ferrari and his own team. Can he strike it lucky again with Mercedes?

MERCEDES' DYNAMIC DUO

Schumacher and Rosberg

Both blindingly quick, but separated by 15 years. Will the German pairing be a winning combination?

GALLERY

Schlegelmilch retrospective - BMW in Formula One racing

  • BMW Sauber's Nick Heidfeld crosses the finish line to take second place
  • Nick Heidfeld gets into the BMW Sauber
  • Robert Kubica, BMW Sauber, at Loews hairpin
  • Nick Heidfeld, BMW Sauber
  • BMW's Dr Klaus Draeger visits BMW Motorsport Director Dr Mario Theissen on the grid
  • A BMW Sauber F1 steering wheel has 19 switches and buttons, but no horn

2010 LAUNCH SCHEDULE

New cars waiting in the wings

With March's season-opener in Bahrain drawing ever closer, the teams are about to break cover...

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Pedro de la Rosa on his return

The veteran tester may not have had a full-time race drive since 2002, but he's ready to wow with BMW Sauber…

GALLERY

Mercedes GP team launch, Stuttgart, Germany, 25 January 2010

  • The new Mercedes livery is launched. Mercedes Launch, Stuttgart, Germany, Monday 25 January 2010.
  • The new Mercedes livery. Mercedes Launch, Stuttgart, Germany, Monday 25 January 2010.
  • Mercedes detail. Mercedes Launch, Stuttgart, Germany, Monday 25 January 2010.

GALLERY

Red Bull on Ice, Canada, 16-17 January 2010

  • Sebastien Buemi, Red Bull, Lac a l'eau-Claire, Canada, 17 January 2010 © Red Bull
  • Sebastien Buemi, Red Bull, Lac a l'eau-Claire, Canada, 17 January 2010 © Red Bull
  • Sebastien Buemi, Red Bull, Lac a l'eau-Claire, Canada, 17 January 2010 © Red Bull

FORCE INDIA'S BIG BREAK

Sutil on his team's 2010 hopes

Unlike their bigger rivals, Force India haven't had to make cuts. Can they turn stability into results?

SEBASTIAN VETTEL Q&A

We won't repeat 2009 errors

Confident his Red Bull will power him to glory, Vettel believes the 2010 title is well within his grasp…

GALLERY

Michael Schumacher GP2 test, Jerez, Spain, 12 January 2010

  • Michael Schumacher (GER) tests a GP2 car in preparation for his F1 return. GP2 Series Development Test, Jerez, Spain, 12 January 2010. © GP2 Series
  • Michael Schumacher (GER) tests a GP2 car in preparation for his F1 return. GP2 Series Development Test, Jerez, Spain, 12 January 2010. © GP2 Series
  • Michael Schumacher (GER) tests a GP2 car in preparation for his F1 return. GP2 Series Development Test, Jerez, Spain, 12 January 2010. © GP2 Series

GALLERY

Ferrari Wrooom Ski Event, Trentino, Italy, 11-12 January 2010

  • Wrooom Ski Event 2010, Madonna di Campiglio, Trentino, Italy, 12 January 2010. © Ferrari.
  • Fernando Alonso (ESP), Ferrari. Wrooom Ski Event 2010, Madonna di Campiglio, Trentino, Italy, 12 January 2010. © Ferrari.
  • Giancarlo Fisichella (ITA), Felipe Massa (BRA), Fernando Alonso (ESP), Ferrari. Wrooom Ski Event 2010, Madonna di Campiglio, Trentino, Italy, 12 January 2010. © Ferrari.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Peter Windsor on the US team

They may have been quiet of late, but sporting director Windsor insists they are working as hard as ever...

TIMO GLOCK Q&A

Virgin aiming to be best newcomers

The German on moving from Toyota's vast corporate structure to Virgin's more intimate surroundings…

GALLERY

Inside the US F1 Team factory, Charlotte, NC, USA

  • The autoclave in action. Inside the US F1 Team factory, Charlotte, NC, USA © US F1 Team
  • Inside the US F1 Team factory, Charlotte, NC, USA © US F1 Team
  • Bernard Ferguson, US F1 team consultant, and team principal Ken Anderson. Inside the US F1 Team factory, Charlotte, NC, USA © US F1 Team

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Lotus's Mike Gascoyne

Taking on the hopes of a nation and assuming the mantle of such an iconic F1 name is no easy task...

ROLL WITH IT

F1 wheels under the spotlight

Easy to overlook, and overshadowed by the rubber that surrounds them, they make the F1 world go round...

GALLERY

Virgin Racing media launch, London, UK, 15 December 2009

  • Virgin Racing drivers (l-r) Timo Glock (GER) and Lucas di Grassi (BRA). Virgin Racing Launch Studio Shoot, London, England, 15th December 2009.
  • L-R: Alvaro Parente (POR) test driver; Timo Glock (GER); Alex Tai (MAL) Team Principal; Lucas di Grassi (BRA); and Luiz Razia (BRA) test driver; at the launch of the new Virgin Racing team. Virgin Racing Launch Studio Shoot, London, England, 15th December 2009.
  • Richard Branson (GBR) CEO Virgin Group. Virgin Racing announce that they will enter F1 in 2010 re-branding the Manor F1 Team. Louise Blouin Foundation, London, UK. 15 December 2009.

WINNING LINE-UP FOR LOTUS

Trulli and Kovalainen signed

The new team will field two proven F1 winners for their first season - Jarno Trulli and Heikki Kovalainen...

WHAT'S NEW FOR 2010?

The rule change round-up

A ban on refuelling, narrower front tyres, more teams, a new points system and more - we explain all...

HUNGRY LIKE THE WOLFF?

Williams' new investor opens up

When Frank Williams revealed he'd sold a stake in his team, everybody was surprised. They shouldn't be...

ASK THE EXPERT

Force India's Vitantonio Liuzzi

How many races did Senna win? How many piercings does the world's most pierced woman have? And more...

GALLERY

Lotus - a Formula One history

  • Johnny Herbert (GBR), Lotus 109. Portuguese Grand Prix, Rd13, Estoril, Portugal, 25 September 1994.
  • Mika Hakkinen (FIN) (right) shares a joke with his Lotus mechanics in his final GP with the team. Australian Grand Prix, Adelaide, 8 November 1992.
  • Johnny Herbert (GBR) Lotus 102B, Belgian Grand Prix, Spa, 25 August 1991

SAUBER ENTRY SECURED

Swiss squad to be granted 13th slot

Following BMW's sale back to founder Peter Sauber, the FIA has said the team can compete next season...

PROVISIONAL 2010 ENTRY LIST

Who goes where next season?

The line-up for the year ahead is gradually shaping up, but with plenty of slots still unconfirmed ...

LIFE ON THE WIRE - PART THREE

The race engineer unravelled

Brawn GP's Jock Clear helps us to examine one of the toughest jobs in the Formula One paddock...

LIFTING THE LID

F1 helmets uncovered

A look at the technology that almost certainly saved the life of Ferrari's Felipe Massa at the Hungaroring...

ASK THE EXPERT

Ferrari's Felipe Massa

Sao Paulo's See Metropolitan Cathedral, Pele, and Robert de Niro are just some of the topics...

THE LOTUS NAME RETURNS

History of a Formula One legend

Seven championships, 79 victories and 107 pole positions - Colin Chapman's team knew how to win...

Related items

LAST RACE

Abu Dhabi
01 S.Vettel 1:34:03.414
02 M.Webber +17.8 secs
03 J.Button +18.4 secs
Fastest Lap
S.Vettel 1:40.279
Pole Position
L.Hamilton 1:40.948
CAPTURED SUN Race at 16:55:14
The sun sets on a fantastic season in 2009. Abu Dhabi a fitting spectacle to close such an enthralling year
CAPTURED SUN Race at 16:48:07
A flypast from an Etihad aircraft preceeds the start of the race
CAPTURED SUN Race at 16:59:58
The grid, led by Hamilton, set out on the parade lap
CAPTURED SUN Race at 17:03:30
16 down, one to go... and it starts now!
CAPTURED SUN Race at 17:03:44
Everyone makes it intact through the first corner, apart from some front wing damage to Barrichello's Brawn
CAPTURED SUN Race at 17:04:04
Vettel has a good look at Hamilton but can't find a way through
CAPTURED SUN Race at 17:04:48
Trulli and Kubica scrap out for 6th, with the BMW driver winning
CAPTURED SUN Race at 17:06:38
Button, having passed Barrichello, sets after Webber
CAPTURED SUN Race at 17:19:16
Having been relegated to 18th after a gearbox change, Kovalainen quickly climbs back to 13th but gets stuck behind Raikkonen
CAPTURED SUN Race at 17:22:35
Hamilton locks a wheel and runs wide, losing time to Vettel
CAPTURED SUN Race at 17:31:01
Barrichello and Kubica stop together from 5th and 6th, the Brazilian coming out ahead
CAPTURED SUN Race at 17:32:39
Hamilton pits from the lead, but may not have enough time in hand to keep his place from Vettel
CAPTURED SUN Race at 17:35:51
Chaos in the Red Bull garage as Alguersuari pulls into the wrong pit, just as Vettel is approaching
CAPTURED SUN Race at 17:36:17
Vettel makes his stop and returns to the track ahead of Hamilton
CAPTURED SUN Race at 17:39:30
Not the greatest day for Hamilton, who retires with a suspected brake problem
CAPTURED SUN Race at 17:49:12
Kobayashi is looking at a good result as he runs third and seemingly on a one-stop strategy
CAPTURED SUN Race at 17:53:41
Raikkonen pulls in for his sole stop of the day
CAPTURED SUN Race at 17:55:15
Kobayashi dives in for his stop, re-emerging in 12th
CAPTURED SUN Race at 18:00:46
Sutil forces his way past Grosjean for 16th
CAPTURED SUN Race at 18:07:18
Sutil continues his charge with a brave move up the inside of Liuzzi
CAPTURED SUN Race at 18:13:08
Webber makes his second stop, filtering out behind Trulli who has yet to stop again
CAPTURED SUN Race at 18:14:18
Barrichello and Heidfeld pit from 3rd and 4th
CAPTURED SUN Race at 18:16:47
Kubica tries to pass Buemi, but the Swiss holds firm and the Pole slips into a spin
CAPTURED SUN Race at 18:31:11
Button starts to catch Webber at a quick rate, with less than 10 laps to go
CAPTURED SUN Race at 18:34:21
Grosjean locks up and Fisichella is there to snatch 16th away from the Renault driver
CAPTURED SUN Race at 18:36:56
Button has a couple of lunges at Webber on the last lap, but the experienced Aussie holds his ground to take 2nd place
CAPTURED SUN Race at 18:37:37
Vettel ensures his second place in the championship by winning here in Abu Dhabi with a faultless drive
CAPTURED SUN Race at 18:41:55
Vettel looks delighted with his win here. Will we see more in 2010 from the German
CAPTURED SUN Race at 18:44:45
A Red Bull one-two sits ahead of the 2009 World Champion Button.
CAPTURED SUN Race at 18:48:22
Champion and runner-up; Button, Vettel and every driver has made for a truly superb season. Goodbye for 2009... we'll see you in March in Bahrain!!!

2009 DRIVER STANDINGS

01 Jenson Button 95
02 Sebastian Vettel 84
03 Rubens Barrichello 77
04 Mark Webber 69.5
05 Lewis Hamilton 49
06 Kimi Räikkönen 48
07 Nico Rosberg 34.5
08 Jarno Trulli 32.5
09 Fernando Alonso 26
10 Timo Glock 24

2009 CONSTRUCTOR STANDINGS

01 Brawn-Mercedes 172
02 RBR-Renault 153.5
03 McLaren-Mercedes 71
04 Ferrari 70
05 Toyota 59.5
06 BMW Sauber 36
07 Williams-Toyota 34.5
08 Renault 26
09 Force India-Mercedes 13
10 STR-Ferrari 8