10/02/2006
NEWS STORY
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Giancarlo Fisichella topped the timesheets at Jerez today, with Renault teammate Heikki Kovalainen just 0.107s behind.
Although the circuit was wet in the morning, this didn't stop Giancarlo and Heikki from running as soon as the track opened, which allowed the team to conduct software checks while also getting a feel for the handling of the R26 in these low-grip conditions.
The circuit improved steadily through the morning, and was dry by early afternoon. The drivers continued their programmes, with Giancarlo focusing his efforts on set-up evaluation while Heikki tested tyres with Michelin, in preparation for the season-opening races in Bahrain and Malaysia.
Before moving on to Valencia next week, the team will continue its work tomorrow with a single car, as Heikki Kovalainen conducts wet weather testing with Michelin.
"We had another interesting day," said the Italian, "in spite of the fact that the track was wet this morning. I was very pleased with the car in wet conditions, and then concentrated on set-up development. I am pleased with the times today, and I think we have completed an important part of our winter work this week. We now need to maintain a good rhythm, and work hard, because the first race is coming up fast."
"I was pleased with today," admitted the Finn. "We made good progress, which had seemed unlikely this morning when the track was wet. It was a productive programme, and we did plenty of tyre testing. Personally, I was pleased with the speed and with my first experience of the R26 in the wet. I felt very comfortable, and I should get an even better impression tomorrow during the wet weather testing for Michelin."
"The track conditions this morning allowed us to get a first impression of how the car handles in wet weather," said Christian Silk. "Giancarlo seemed pleased with the car, and although it was Heikki's first test in these conditions, he adapted very quickly. We had a productive afternoon, with Heikki conducting tyre testing in preparation for the first races of the year. Giancarlo continued to focus on set-up development, and he seems to have found some good solutions. After tomorrow's wet-weather work, we will continue next week in Valencia, beginning on Wednesday."
Kimi Raikkonen tested for half a day for McLaren, before leaving at lunchtime to attend al team function in London.
The Finn's programme focused on set-up evaluations. Unfortunately the track was still damp from overnight rain for the majority of the morning and he only switched to intermediates 10 minutes before he was due to leave.
Pedro de la Rosa took over driving duties of the MP4-21 for the afternoon's running, however, his afternoon was cut short when he suffered an engine failure shortly before the end of testing.
Gary Paffett was testing alongside Kimi and Pedro, his work consisted of testing the different Michelin compounds for the first three races of the season.
Pedro will continue the team's testing programme tomorrow (Saturday), which is a Michelin wet test with the track artificially dampened.
Nick Heidfeld was joined by Robert Kubica, as BMW continues to show good form. The German evaluated Michelin tyre options for Bahrain, but in the afternoon experienced a technical problem, which forced him to return to the pits and cost him valuable track-time. He was able to continue, but the team is now analysing its data to identify the cause of the problem.
Kubica drove F1.06 for the first time and used the morning to get used to it. Later he ran cooling system checks and worked with Michelin on a Sepang tyre validation.
Midland's Tiago Monteiro finished eighth quickest, ahead of both WilliamsF1s and the Toro Rosso.
The Portuguese driver continued with the new car, working mainly on tyres and, according to the team; "ticking a few more boxes" on its pre-season test schedule.
Christijan Albers completed some engine work for Toyota in the morning and worked on control systems and tyre testing in the afternoon.
"It has been a very encouraging week," said James Kay, the team's technical director, "we have done three full days running on the new car with no reliability issues. We have tried out new mechanical systems which are working as we hoped, and had good development on our control systems. The cooling levels on the new car are as expected and the outcome of data has been as anticipated. The Toyota engine has been faultless all week.
"There are a few issues to resolve on the performance side and we are working on that now but think we have a solution and will hopefully make the car run quicker. It was an encouraging day today with improving lap times. We have also tried new Bridgestone tyres which performed very well. Overall it's been a very good and motivating test, the drivers have both done good jobs and are happy with the car.
It was a hard day for WilliamsF1, with Mark Webber completing just 15 laps before spinning off as a result of a gearbox problem. A lack of replacement parts meant that the Australian was unable to continue. There were problems also for Alexander Wurz, who encountered a number of small, unrelated 'gremlins'.
"Alex continued working on reliability running for the engine and gearbox, while also fitting in some set-up work," said Sam Michael. "Unfortunately Mark had to stop early as we were short on suspension spares with which to repair his car after an off.
"Overall, Jerez has proved to be a good test for reliability with the FW28, and we now look forward to Valencia next week and working on further set-up options and carrying out tyre testing with Bridgestone."
"Cosworth had a good week in Jerez with WilliamsF1," added the engine manufacturer's Simon Corbyn. "The latest CA2006 performance developments were successful, plus the engine ran in excess of the two race weekend life requirements with no issues.
"The Bahrain GP CA2006 Series 2 engine specification, which incorporates further performance and reliability updates, will track test next week in Valencia and the priority for the engine development programme will now shift to delivering the further upgrades scheduled for introduction during the 2006 season."
After Tonio Liuzzi gave the Toro Rosso its maiden outing on Thursday, it was the turn of his team-mate Scott Speed to get behind the wheel today.
The team concentrated on set-up work throughout the day as this was the American driver's first time in the STR-01.
"The car tended to oversteer but we worked on the problem and by the end of the day, we had it improved," said Speed. "We also did a long run at the end and that went smoothly. It was our best run of the day which shows we are making progress."
This is not the first time Speed has experienced the modified V10 engine. "It definitely has less horsepower and has a different power band," he explained. "It's going to require a different driving style, carrying more speed through the corners as you feel the difference when you drive out of them."
The team resumes testing on Monday, at the Sakhir circuit in Bahrain almost a month to the day before the desert track hosts the opening round of the season.
Renault and McLaren are the only teams staying on for a 'wet test' on Saturday.
Weather
Air temperature: 9-26 C
Track temperature: 9-31 C.
Damp in the morning, later sunny
To check out our Jerez test picture gallery, featuring over 300 pictures, click here