Marussia Racing’s new recruit, Charles Pic, admits the pre-season testing restrictions could cause problems in the opening races as the rookie will have just six days to familiarise himself with the 2012 car.
Teams get just 12 days on-track testing prior to the Australian Grand Prix in March, two days less than they did in 2011 following the re-introduction of an in-season test in May.
Pic, who replaces Jerome D’Ambrosio to partner Timo Glock next season, says he must be aware of the strict limit and make the most of it, but he isn’t too concerned.
“I am not worried about it, but I need to be aware of it,” said the Frenchman on a visit to Paris with the team for a press conference.
“It means I need to set up a timetable to make sure I can learn things in a different way.
“Six days of testing is a very short period of time, and not quite enough to be ready for Melbourne. So we need to set up a good programme so that the two months in winter can be used for the best,” he added.
“I am not afraid of anything, but I am fully aware it is going to be tough, and I will have to work hard. But I am not concerned – I want to do the best job possible.”
Discussion about this post