Sebastian Vettel Testing Q50 as Infiniti Director of Performance

Sebastian Vettel was at Circuit Paul Ricard in France on Monday, May 27, filling his role as Director of Performance for InfinitiInfinitiJapan, 1989 > present31 models
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. Vettel's biggest responsibility was further refining the setup of the Q50Infiniti Q50Japan, 2013 > present12 versions
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for the European market and comparing it to competitors. 

Vettel communicates his opinions on the Q50's handling, steering and ride comfort to the Infiniti engineering team. Steering feel is the biggest priority on the Q50. It is the first mass produced car ever to feature steer-by-wire. There is no mechanical link between the steering wheel and the wheels, except as a fail-safe. Instead, changes in steering feel are communicated by changing the gearing of the electric power steering. 

“Similar to Formula One cars, it’s interesting to feel how different cars are configured for steering response and braking as well as driver assistance features like ESP and Traction Control. Getting these things right is what makes a good car great," said Vettel.

Vettel began working for Infiniti in 2011 when development of the Infiniti FX Vettel EditionInfiniti FX Sebastian VettelJapan, 2011 > present5 photos
began.

According to Infiniti President Johan de Nysschen, Infiniti wants to strengthen the integration of the Red Bull Formula 1 team with the Infiniti brand. A major part of that is being able to market its cars as being partially developed by three-time world champion Sebastian Vettel. 

Vettel also worked with Infiniti engineers in Japan early in the Q50's development to tell them what he prizes in a car's chassis dynamics and handling. 

Red Bull test driver Sebastien Buemi has also been doing development work on the car. 

The Q50 goes on sale later this year, but production in Europe will not begin until 2015.