Soucek gears up for 'dream' Williams F1 test
Spaniard ready to receive prize for winning 2009 FIA Formula Two Championship
24-year-old Spaniard Andy Soucek has described his forthcoming
test in Jerez tomorrow (1 December) for the Williams F1 team as a
'dream come true', and insists he is feeling confident and relaxed
ahead of the experience.
Soucek received the test as part of his prize for winning the
2009 FIA Formula Two Championship, which he clinched in magnificent
style after taking five wins over the season. He will drive for
Williams for the first day of the three day test, after which Nico
Hulkenberg - confirmed to drive for the team in 2010 - will take
over testing duties.
Soucek visited the Williams factory in Grove last week for his
official seat fitting, and admitted he had been delighted to meet
the team for the first time. "For me it is like a dream come true,
having an F1 team focus on you for an entire day," he explained.
"Williams really do set the highest standards, and every detail is
examined and catered for - I even had three people analysing how my
seat position could improve!
"It's a big responsibility driving Williams' car, and as always
I'll be going out hoping to be fast and do the best job I can.
However I'm not putting myself under too much pressure; I'm
confident and relaxed more than anything else, and it will
just be great to get experience from the test and get
reference points of how Formula One works."
Soucek will be joined at the test by some of the best young
drivers in the world, including F2 pilot Mirko Bortolotti, who will
test for the Scuderia Toro Rosso team. The Spaniard insisted,
however, that all the drivers would be judged on more than just
their raw speed.
"The test is about an accumulation of factors," he said. "You
need to be able to create and build a good environment with the
team, you have to deliver good and accurate reports on the car, and
of course you have to be quick. If you put everything together,
then you have a good test. I'm just going to be myself and be
natural.
"I knew I had the test after Imola where I won the championship,
so since then I have been training a lot, working on my neck and my
fitness. F1 requires you to be in very good physical shape, so I
have been working hard. It's also about your mental state, so I
have spent the last few days with my grandmother and family in
order to be fully focussed before the test. On Monday I will spend
the whole day with my engineer making final adjustments, and then
I'm sure the nerves will kick in the night before.
"Overall though I'm feeling very relaxed and confident. I have
even had my Stilo helmet repainted with the Williams blue and white
colour scheme, and it looks really good. The team made me feel very
comfortable, and I can't wait to get out in the car!"