Positive showing at opening F2 test pleases Louis
Switzerland’s Louis Delétraz has got his preparation for the 2018 FIA Formula 2 Championship season off to a strong and pleasing start after successfully completing a three-day official test at Circuit Paul Ricard in the south of France today.
The ADS Securities-sponsored driver linked up with his new Charouz Racing System team at the 5.86km track to put its brand-new, 2018-spec, turbocharged car through its paces.
Louis completed around 1,200 kilometres of running during the three-day test and his pace was strong enough to put him inside the top-six during four of the six timed sessions.
“I’m very happy with how the first test has gone. We had some good reliability and we could make a lot of laps and take a lot of data to make the car better and better,” the 20-year-old explained. “When we came here the objective was to make a lot of laps and find a car that suits us. We did both and I’m pleased for that.”
Louis completed performance runs and longer race simulations during the test and he was impressed with the initial feeling he got aboard the latest-spec F2 car.
He said: “It’s a really great car. I was surprised by how much downforce the car has and the torque from the turbo engine. It’s a lot of fun to drive.
“I loved it every time I got into the car because I knew I could push the limits to go faster and faster. There’s a big jump between the 2017 car and the 2018 car. With the downforce, the new car is just like an F1 car.”
With their only European pre-season test now complete, Louis and his Charouz Racing System team are now focused on preparing for their final pre-season outing in Bahrain (21-23 March).
“It’s a new team and everyone is getting to know each other. But there is already a great atmosphere. You can feel that everyone wants to move forward and has the same motivation to win. I’m sure we can do something strong together this season,” Louis said.
