Both Toro Rosso drivers showed promise during yesterday's opening two practice sessions at the brand-new Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi with Sebastien Buemi posting the sixth quickest time in each session in the Red Bull-sponsored STR4. His young team mate Jaime Alguersuari went ninth fastest in the opening session in the Ferrari-powered car and ninetieth fastest in the second session as the Spaniard, like all the other drivers in the field got to grips with learning the new circuit.

In an interview yesterday Buemi reflected on his first season in F1 which he will complete when the chequered flag falls tomorrow afternoon. "The beginning of the season was very good and satisfying, and then it got a bit difficult," said the Swiss rooki. "We explain this with the fact that we are the last team that introduced the double diffuser. I have to admit that I did expect more to come out of this, but in the last couple of races we had a very good package and we got into the points in Brazil. Also we have been very quick and competitive, like in Japan. In general I am quite happy, and if I can make it into the points here in Abu Dhabi I will be even more satisfied. Of course it can always be better, and we have been lucky also that Red Bull managed to build such a good car. It was difficult though, as the development phase for Toro Rosso was quite hard and we could not keep up so fast with the others. With my personal accomplishment I am very satisfied."

After a tough first year in F1 Buemi is aiming to return next year and his objectives will be "to perform much better and to have learned from the mistakes that we have made this year." He also revealed that he is yet to sign a contract with the Faenza, Italy-based team which is owned by energy drinks giant Red Bull. "My contract is not signed yet, as I have not received anything from the team as of yet. In general I am very positive about this, but I still have to wait." There will be a final practice session in Abu Dhabi this afternoon before the qualifying run-offs get underway at 17:00 local time.

Sebastien Buemi (STR4-03): “This new circuit has some interesting features which we are not used to, like the tunnel and it’s a nice feeling to start running in daylight and going into the dark. This morning was a bit difficult, but we improved the car quite a lot in the afternoon, so I am not unhappy. You have to consider that there is a huge difference in the track between the first session and the second, as it is a lot quicker in the evening when it’s cooler. It was a bit difficult to get the tyres working properly, especially the Option, but apart from that, the car is not too bad. Now we have to see what we can do for tomorrow, when it will be important to qualify well.”

First Practice Session: Best lap 1.44.687, pos. 6th, 32 laps; Second Practice Session: Best lap 1.41.683, pos. 6th, 37 laps

Jaime Alguersuari (STR4-01): “I have enjoyed driving this new circuit. It has nothing particularly tricky about it and it reminds me in parts of Valencia. This morning I was learning the track and I also had to get used to an F1 car again, as last weekend, I was racing in the World Series. The first session went pretty well and so did the afternoon, apart from a small problem on the car towards the end. Degradation does not seem to be an issue with the tyres and they are lasting well. In FP2 the track of course had more grip and was generally faster, helped by the fact it was cooler in the dark.”