14/10/2004
NEWS STORY
Ricardo Zonta: "On the first day, I worked on steering columns and electronics. We did some back-to-back runs to see if we could find some improvements and learn something for next season. On Wednesday I worked on tyres, both for 2005 and the two choices for next week's Brazilian Grand Prix. We had a very good day and everything we did took us a step forward. On Thursday we did more work on tyres along with some electronics and set-up. It was also good to get used to working with Remi Decorzent, who will be my race engineer at Interlagos. From Jerez I will travel straight back home to Curitiba in Brazil and next Wednesday I'll go to Sao Paulo for the last race of the year."
Ryan Briscoe: "I spent Thursday morning working on brake ducts and wing effects. It went pretty well and we made it through the programme quite nicely, although we had an engine problem just before lunch so we had to stop to get it fixed. In the afternoon I did some work on new tyre constructions for 2005, which was interesting. On Monday I will head off to Sao Paulo to carry out my third driver role at the Brazilian Grand Prix. Then I have a few weeks off before I return to testing at the end of November."
Franck Perera: "It's always been my dream to drive a Formula One car, so Tuesday was an exciting day for me on Tuesday. I tested in Vairano a fortnight ago but that was only a straightline. So, while I could learn about the controls and the speed of an F1 car there, this was my first chance to drive on a normal track. It was a big change from what I'm used to in Formula 3 - especially the braking and the speed into fast corners, and I could certainly feel it in my neck. I'd never been to Jerez either and it's not an easy track with a lot of bumps. But I feel the day went well, and I was happy to have a chance to learn and to help the team with their wheel and damper tests. I hope to have another F1 test some time, but my own season is not finished yet. From Jerez I moved straight on to Oschersleben for two days of testing for the last F3 races of the year in Macau and Bahrain."
Katsuyuki Hiranaka: "My test on Wednesday was the first time I have driven a Formula One car on a circuit, and I really enjoyed it. I came to Europe two years ago with the ambition of driving an F1 car, so it is a dream come true. I didn't push too hard because F1 takes a bit of getting used to and you have to take things step by step, but it was a lot of fun and I completed my programme of work on brake ducts and aerodynamics. I already knew the F1 gearshift, clutch, throttle and brakes from our straightline test at Vairano, but driving round corners was a new experience. I now feel confident with the slow speed sections, though I still have to get used to the quicker corners. It's very different from F3, with more G than I'm used to. Indeed, it felt slow to drive an F3 at Hockenheim after the Vairano test – and to brake much earlier too. But now I've had the chance to drive the car I know how hard F1 is both physically and mentally."