Louis: ‘I’m ready for the new F2 season’
Switzerland’s Louis Déletraz is ready for the 2018 FIA Formula 2 Championship season to start after impressing in the category’s final pre-season test at Bahrain this week.
Fresh from a promising test debut with his new Charouz Racing System team at Le Castellet, France earlier this month, Louis was keen to build on his early F2 form when he travelled to the Sakhir International Circuit for three days of testing in the Bahrain heat.
The ADS Securities-backed driver achieved his objective as he completed almost 1,000 kilometres of running and successfully worked through a programme of performance and race runs, as well as practice starts and pit stop simulations.
Louis’ speed put him inside the top-three times during three of the six test sessions in Bahrain and he was only outside the top-five times in one of the remaining three sessions.
It was a great way to finish his preparations for the first round of the new F2 series that will get underway in Bahrain on 6-8 April.
“It was a very good test for me. We found some good speed straight away and we were in the top positions during every session. It was really positive,” Louis explained.
“We did a lot of work at the first F2 test to make sure we’d be in a good position coming to Bahrain and I think that showed. I felt good in the car straight away and I had a lot of confidence from the first lap. I’m happy and I feel I’m definitely ready for the first F2 races.”
Thanks to the hard work of his Charouz Racing System team, Louis was able to enjoy three days of reliable running on the 5.41km Sakhir Circuit and he feels he’s already established the kind of relationship with his new team that will stand him in good stead for what is sure to be a tough F2 season.
“The reliability of the car was fantastic and the team did a really good job,” he said. “I’m happy that I’m working with the guys at Charouz this season. We’ve only been at the track for six days as a team but it already feels like my second family and we’re working well together. It’s a good feeling to have just before the season starts.”
With the opening round of the 2018 F2 season just two weeks away, Louis is now focussed on taking his impressive testing form into the first event of the new season so that he can make a strong start to his 2018 F2 campaign
He added: “You can never be 100% certain what the other drivers are doing in testing. I think we’ll get the real answer about whether we’re fast when the first qualifying session ends in Bahrain. But I’m quietly confident about the challenge that lies ahead and I will keep pushing to make sure this is a good season for us.”
