F1: Senna Shows Mettle With Memorable Drive

Formula 1

F1: Senna Shows Mettle With Memorable Drive

First-year Williams man Bruno Senna finished a strong sixth in Malaysia...

Adam Cooper | http://www.speedtv.com | Posted March 26, 2012 Sepang (MAS)

Bruno Senna drives his Williams in the rain at Sepang International Circuit. (Photo: Getty Images)

A brilliant performance from Bruno Senna went largely unheralded in Malaysia given the attention focused on Sergio Perez.

However, the Brazilian’s drive to sixth – after a first-lap crash led to a nose change and early switch to full wet tires – was almost as impressive, as he gave Williams the result that teammate Pastor Maldonado threw away in Australia a week earlier. The performance went some way to confirming that Senna deserved the seat.

“In the wet we were very strong, we had some pretty good racing with some good people around me,” he said. “It’s very satisfying when you’re competitive.

“I think when the conditions are difficult, the drivers who adapt fastest are the ones who make the most ground, and I had to adapt really quickly, and I wanted to prove to these guys that I can do a good job. Hopefully, they are satisfied with the job.”

Senna is confident that the team has some upward momentum.

“I think so," he said. "We have a good package, and I hope we can continue developing everything. I’m really happy for everybody.”

Adam Cooper notched up his 27th season as a racing journalist in 2011. He has written about F1 for SPEED.com since 2005. Follow him on Twitter.