Firman knuckles down to Formula One career

Rookie Formula One driver, Ralph Firman admits he needs a lot more miles under his belt before he can feel fully confident in a Formula One car.

The young Briton finished just one of his three races so far, coming home 10th in Malaysia last month after qualifying last on the grid with a heavy fuel load.

Firman’s learning curve has not been helped by suspension failures which saw him crash out in Australia on his debut and smack into the Toyota of Olivier Panis at the last race in Brazil.

The 27-year-old is hoping he can get another race finish at the San Marino Grand Prix in Imola this weekend as the team look to follow up Giancarlo Fisichella belatedly being awarded victory at Interlagos in their 200th race.

“Formula One is an incredible thing,” said Firman, who was finally handed his grand prix chance by team chief Eddie Jordan after winning the Formula Nippon series in Japan last year.

“I just need to knuckle down and keep going in the right direction, making little steps forward all the time.

“It’s harder on the neck than a Nippon car. The muscles have to be stronger. Formula Nippon really gets you prepared physically for F1 but technically, the only thing you need is miles under your belt.

“I’ve still got a lot to learn and I still haven’t got a handle on tyres. I know how I want the car I just haven’t got an idea how to get that just yet.”

Firman has a double task this year as apart from getting to grips with the extra horsepower he is also racing on unfamiliar circuits having spent the last few years in Japan.

Jordan are one of the teams who agreed to limit their testing this season to be able to run an extra two hours at a race weekend and Firman will be on the Italian track for the additional session on Friday.

“It does gives me more laps in the car,” added the Norwich-based racer. “I’ve only tested at Barcelona I’ve hardly raced at any European circuits.

“I guess once you become 100% comfortable with the car it’s easier and quicker to learn circuits. I’m trying to learn two things at the same time still.”