Racing Bulls boss Permane calls Spanish GP Friday 'excellent' despite Lindblad's FP2 crash

Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane declared Friday at the Spanish Grand Prix an “absolutely excellent day” despite rookie Arvid Lindblad crashing into the Turn 13 wall during FP2 at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, ending his session early.

Lindblad had been showing strong pace in the opening sector during qualifying simulations, but lost the rear of his VCARB 03 on the exit of La Monumental and slid sideways into the barrier. His lap time before the incident was still good enough for fourth overall in the combined Friday standings, while Yuki Tsunoda also reached the top ten despite battling power steering problems throughout the day.

“If we take the crash out of it, it’s been an absolutely excellent day. It really has,” Permane said after FP2. “The car is quick. We started off with a decent car, made some changes from FP1 to FP2, and really improved it. It looks properly fast, the car. Certainly top ten, maybe even top seven qualifying car.”

Permane added that Tsunoda’s result was particularly encouraging given the mechanical difficulties he faced. “Yuki didn’t have the easiest of runs, but he’s still up there in the top ten, and in front of all our main competitors. A really decent day.”

The VCARB 03 has been noted for its compliant handling over kerbs and bumps, a characteristic that suits the Madring layout, where aggressive kerb-riding through the first sector is considered a key source of lap time.

Permane expressed confidence that both drivers can reach Q3 in Saturday’s qualifying session. “I think we’re pretty happy where we are. There might be some fine-tuning ahead of FP3. I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t be confident in getting both those cars into Q3,” he said, adding the caveat that the picture could change if a rival team makes a significant overnight step.

Lindblad, making his way through his debut Formula 1 season, accepted responsibility for the incident. “It’s not an easy track, so we’re all pushing to find the limits,” the rookie said. “It’s new for all of us. We just made a bit of a mistake, overdid it a little bit in Turn 13. It’s a bit of a shame. I apologise to the mechanics.”

Lindblad noted that the race simulations completed by other teams on Friday ran to only seven or eight laps, limiting what he missed. He acknowledged, however, that he will need to find additional grip and confidence in FP3 and qualifying as the new circuit surface continues to rubber in.