Esteban Gutiérrez took a sabbatical from Formula 1 in 2015, where he stood on the sidelines as a Ferrari reserve driver and as a result the all new Haas F1 Team - powered by Ferrari of course - came knocking on the Mexican's door and the rest is history.
Gutiérrez spoke ahead of his return to the Formula 1 grid, this weekend, at the Australian Grand Prix.
Haas F1 Team tested at Barcelona for eight days over a 12-day span. How did it go and how did it prepare you for Australia?
Esteban Gutiérrez: “It’s been quite an experience. The team worked very hard day and night. The first week was very positive and we managed to get a lot of laps in. The second week was quite challenging. It was important to keep focused. Preparation is always the period when you experience all the problems, yet you find solutions in order to get ready for Australia.”
Esteban Gutiérrez: “It’s been quite an experience. The team worked very hard day and night. The first week was very positive and we managed to get a lot of laps in. The second week was quite challenging. It was important to keep focused. Preparation is always the period when you experience all the problems, yet you find solutions in order to get ready for Australia.”
You’ve been a part of many preseason tests. How did this one go?
EG: “In general, better than expected. As a new team, we managed to put the car on track and, on the first day, we managed to do a very good amount of laps. Most importantly, we got to know the car, which is the biggest question mark after months of preparation. When I saw the car for the first time on paper, I was imagining how it would feel. Then finally, I arrived at Barcelona. I went out for my installation lap and after two or three corners, I could already say something about the car. It was a very interesting moment.”
EG: “In general, better than expected. As a new team, we managed to put the car on track and, on the first day, we managed to do a very good amount of laps. Most importantly, we got to know the car, which is the biggest question mark after months of preparation. When I saw the car for the first time on paper, I was imagining how it would feel. Then finally, I arrived at Barcelona. I went out for my installation lap and after two or three corners, I could already say something about the car. It was a very interesting moment.”
How satisfying was it to have so much input into developing a new car for a new team?
EG: “It’s been a different experience to be part of the team integration from when the conversations started with Gene (Haas) and Guenther (Steiner) back in the summer. Obviously, I’ve always tried to give an input from my experience and to try to be part of what was going on with the development of the car – to be aware, to be close to the team, to be close to the designers so I could best prepare myself. It’s a whole new adventure and it’s an honor to be a part of it.”
EG: “It’s been a different experience to be part of the team integration from when the conversations started with Gene (Haas) and Guenther (Steiner) back in the summer. Obviously, I’ve always tried to give an input from my experience and to try to be part of what was going on with the development of the car – to be aware, to be close to the team, to be close to the designers so I could best prepare myself. It’s a whole new adventure and it’s an honor to be a part of it.”
How would you describe the VF-16?
EG: “I love driving it. It’s very enjoyable. I’ve had cars in the past which were difficult to fine tune in order to get a good feeling where you can anticipate, where you can push the car to the limit. The VF-16, straight away had a good feeling. As a baseline, that’s always a good sign. It’s a great car.”
EG: “I love driving it. It’s very enjoyable. I’ve had cars in the past which were difficult to fine tune in order to get a good feeling where you can anticipate, where you can push the car to the limit. The VF-16, straight away had a good feeling. As a baseline, that’s always a good sign. It’s a great car.”
What are your goals for Australia?
“First of all, we need to find out how competitive we are. I hope we are as competitive and as good as the car feels, but we need to maximize and optimize what we have. Our target is clear – to achieve points. It is quite ambitious as a new team, but that’s what we’re targeting and we’ll work very hard to achieve it.”
“First of all, we need to find out how competitive we are. I hope we are as competitive and as good as the car feels, but we need to maximize and optimize what we have. Our target is clear – to achieve points. It is quite ambitious as a new team, but that’s what we’re targeting and we’ll work very hard to achieve it.”
Explain a lap around the Albert Park Circuit.
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