Austin – Indonesian racing driver Sean Gelael had an impressive performance during the Free Practice 1 (FP1) session at the Formula 1 (F1) grand prix in Austin, United States on Friday, October 21, 2017.
The Formula 2 driver tried Circuit of the Americas for the first time. He controlled Scuderia Toro Rosso STR12 well.
“I was very satisfied with Sean. He was capable to shorten his gap with his teammate Brendon Hartley. It was big improvement for Sean,” Toro Rosso team principal Franz Tost said.
During the FP1 session, the young racing driver showed a great composure. Unfortunately, he faced a crowded traffic.
“If he had faced clear track, he would have recorded better lap time, “ Tost said.
In the end of the FP1 session, the 20-year-old racing driver recorded a best lap time of 1:40.406. he reached 17th position.
Sean’s team mate, Brendon Hartley was ranked fourteenth. The current Formula 2 leader, Charles LeClerc was ranked lower.
Sean had as many as 25 laps in the FP1 session. He had a big under steer in the middle of the FP1 session.
“We used intermediate tire set at the start. Due to changing pressure, my hydraulic anti roll bar blared at the dry area. As the result, my car experienced a big under steer at slow speed corners between second and third sectors. Nevertheless, overall, I was satisfied with my debut in Austin,” Sean explained.
It was Sean’s third FP1 session with Toro Rosso. He earlier joined the FP1 sessions in Singapore and Malaysia. He will join the FP1 session in Mexico.
ACF
