Spain

Last Race: 12th May Spain

Spain GP Results
Pos Driver
1 Fernando Alonso
2 Kimi Raikkonen
3 Felipe Massa

Gutierrez: Little time, lots of pressure

Thursday 21st February 2013

Gutierrez: Little time, lots of pressure

Gutierrez: Little time, lots of pressure

Esteban Gutierrez concedes time is off the essence as he gears up for his Formula One debut next month in Australia.

With pre-season testing limited to just 12 days, Gutierrez is spending just six in his new Sauber C32 while his team-mate Nico Hulkenberg is behind the wheel for the remaining six.

Asked during a live chat with Autosport.com whether he had enough time to be fully prepared, the 21-year-old said: "I'm doing my best, but yes, it's a very short time, only six days in total

"It's not easy of course because as a rookie you need a lot of laps and seat time to adapt, but this is what we have and what I'm trying to get the most out of. Basically it's my only focus at the moment.

"We will see at Melbourne. It will be my first experience of a Formula 1 race."

With his debut comes an increase in pressure with the Mexican racer admitting that while rookies need time to adjust, teams want results.

"I think that the main change between GP2 and Formula 1 is from a psychological point of view.

"There is more media pressure, you are exposed basically to the whole world from a media point of view. And of course it's the top level so the result is the only thing that counts.

"At some point you consider the rookies coming in need some time to prepare and to adapt to the situation, but at the end of the day everyone expects the best results from the drivers."

The best measure in Formula One, though, is to up against a team-mate with Gutierrez saying his goal is to be at Hulkenberg's "level.

"I am going to take it step by step, because he has three years of experience in Formula 1 and I cannot expect straightaway to beat him. But he is a great reference for me, I know that. I am going to work on being at his level this year."

User comments

    Loading

      Post a comment

      F1 Dresses Up For Monaco

      Editor's Picks

      NTFN: Kimi's New Job

      NTFN: Kimi's New Job

      Force India are still wrestling with Sutil's nuts allergy, while Kimi Raikkonen has branched out into PR...

      Tyred and Emotional

      Tyred and Emotional

      Andrew Davies sticks his big fat oar into the tyre debate and notes how much the FIA have changed...

      The Forum Is Ready To Chat

      The Forum Is Ready To Chat

      Ferrari came apart (literally), Vettel became the first to two, Lotus put two into the top three and the protests continued. Let's chat...

      The PF1 Fantasy League

      The PF1 Fantasy League

      Join the PlanetF1 Fantasy League and go up against the crew at PF1 in our 2013 Friends and Enemies battle...

      The Benetton Class Of 2001

      The Benetton Class Of 2001

      There's something special about the four Benetton drivers lining up in St Mark's Square - they're all in the 200 Club...