How Ayrton Senna helped set up the cars
“In the life of a Formula 1 pilot, there is no rest during the Grand Prix season which goes from March to November. And their work is not so easy. It isn’t enough that they complete all the laps with consistency and reliability, as it needs to be done in a critical manner, knowing how to identify the best solutions and using his utmost ability to communicate with the team about the reaction of the car to various adjustments.”
In order to get race cars ready for racing, innumerous tests are made. Ayrton Senna shared part of this responsibility with the teams’ test drivers, since he considered it important that the main drivers always participate in improvements to their machines.
There are two types of tests that directly involve the drivers: those regarding adaptations to the car for racing conditions, which occur during the Grand Prix in free practice in order setthe car race up for more consistencyduring the race; and those withfar more reaching improvements, where new engineering solutions are tested on the cars during the intervals between trips throughout the year. Without these tests, a team might begin the year well but lose ground before the end of the season.
Ayrton Senna pointed out that one of the talents that every Formula 1 driver should have and develop is to be a good tester. In other words, being able to assess the performance of their car in all types of tests and races and point out improvements necessary to optimize their time on the track.In order to get race cars ready for racing, innumerous tests are made. Ayrton Senna shared part of this responsibility with the teams’ test drivers, since he considered it important that the main drivers always participate in improvements to their machines.
There are two types of tests that directly involve the drivers: those regarding adaptations to the car for racing conditions, which occur during the Grand Prix in free practice in order setthe car race up for more consistencyduring the race; and those withfar more reaching improvements, where new engineering solutions are tested on the cars during the intervals between trips throughout the year. Without these tests, a team might begin the year well but lose ground before the end of the season.
Ayrton Senna pointed out that one of the talents that every Formula 1 driver should have and develop is to be a good tester. In other words, being able to assess the performance of their car in all types of tests and races and point out improvements necessary to optimize their time on the track.