27/04/2006
NEWS STORY
The three-day test at Silverstone concluded today, with Giancarlo Fisichella toping the timesheets, posting the fastest lap of the week.
Track conditions were good enough to complete meaningful tyre testing in spite of slightly cold conditions. Consequently, the Renault drivers were able to run an important development programme. However, the morning saw the circuit closed on nine occasions, with two more red flags during the afternoon, equating about 30% of the track time available.
At the end of the session, the French team had covered 228 laps with Fisichella setting the fastest lap-time and Heikki Kovalainen the third-fastest.
"It was a good day once again for us," said Christian Silk. "Heikki was back at the wheel today and focused on tyre testing as Giancarlo firstly worked on set-up changes and then on a tyre programme as well. The car performed very well during the week and the drivers were happy with its performance. We had good pace here and we know that Silverstone is a good barometer of overall performance, and particularly aerodynamic performance. That indicates the great job our aero department is doing, as well as all the people at Enstone and Viry who are working flat out at the moment. We are looking forward to seeing how things shape up at the British Grand Prix in two months' time."
Kimi Raikkonen and Juan Pablo Montoya were on track for McLaren as the Woking team continued the week's work schedule, which was focused on the Michelin tyre selection process for the Spanish and British Grands Prix, the Mercedes-Benz V8 and aerodynamic development programme and general set-up.
Gary Paffett was also in attendance, to conduct a shakedown of an MP4-20 that is scheduled to be used at Goodwood later in the year.
"We have had some productive feedback over the last two days at Silverstone," said Raikkonen, "with good information on set-ups and Michelins to take into the British Grand Prix in June. As the last test before the Spanish race, we have also been focusing on completing the selection process for Barcelona with Michelin."
"It has been good to test at Silverstone before the race here, as it means we have positive data to use going into the weekend," added Montoya. "But there have been a lot of red flags that really do interrupt the programme. It has been really noticeable here how much faster you are through the corners now we have V8 engines, Copse, for example, is really fast and you don't really lift."
Christian Klien was an impressive fourth quickest, albeit over a second off Fisichella's time, while David Coulthard was seventh, 0.350 slower.
"Hidden beneath the problems visible on the surface, these three days have produced some very valuable data which should see us move forward in development terms in a few races time," said Christian Horner. "The problems we experienced are all part and parcel of a development programme as we pursue more performance from the car."
Anthony Davidson was back in the car this morning for the final day of Honda's three-day test at Silverstone, the Englishman was joined by Rubens Barrichello.
Davidson focused on tyre work, completing longer runs on the best of Wednesday's options, he successfully completed his full test programme covering an impressive 143 laps.
Barrichello concentrated on chassis work, trying different set-ups, alongside an aero evaluation. He had a gearbox problem in the early afternoon but went on to complete 71 laps in total.
Having wrecked a Red Bull on Wednesday, Tonio Liuzzi was back driving a Toro Rosso today. "All the drivers did a good job with no mistakes," said chief engineer Laurent Mekies, reflecting on this week's test. "We were evaluating some new aero parts, including a front wing and generally we worked on set-up for the British GP. Today, Tonio also worked on Qualifying simulation."
Alexander Wurz and Mark Webber were on duty for WilliamsF1, both drivers over 1.9s off the pace.
"It was very difficult to get comparable runs in during the morning session as there were plenty of red flags and a short spell of rain," said test team manager, Mike Condliffe. "We continued with our compound tests, however, as well as putting some very useful mileage on some revised clutch parts to prove their reliability. Alex also tried the alternative brake materials that were tested yesterday, and both cars tried different wing settings as this was our first test with the V8s on this circuit."
"Silverstone was a crucial evaluation of the latest CA2006 developments prior to the first in-season race engine upgrade," added Simon Corbyn, head of race engineering at Cosworth. "We had no issues associated with the new components at this week's test. As per Cosworth convention, the race versions of the upgraded engines will be designated 'Series 4'. As you'd expect, race engines have the tightest controls on build specifications, procedures and component lifing."
Robert Kubica was BMW's sole representative, the Pole alternating between to chassis. Robert worked on aero and damper comparisons with chassis 06 and also completed some long tyre compound runs for Michelin, while with chassis 07 he completed aero work.
Over the three days the teams' drivers, Jacques Villeneuve, Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubia, covered a total of 1,700 kilometres between them. Next week the team has its first home race, the European Grand Prix at the Nürburgring, and the official opening of the team's Pit Lane Park.
Midland has Christijan Albers and Adrian Sutil on duty.
"We ran a brief 50km shakedown for Adrian Sutil in preparation for his Friday driving duties at the Nurburgring, and Christijan took over the remaining driving duties working on tyre selection and some setup testing," said chief race and test engineer, Dominic Harlow. "Unfortunately, his afternoon was curtailed by a transmission problem and we lost a bit of track time as a result.
"But all in all, the three days have been useful and the April showers have stayed away. We are continuing to understand and improve our car and it was especially useful this week to give many of our engineers from the factory the opportunity to see the car in operation and get involved first hand in making improvements at the track."
"I was a little frustrated with all the track time I lost today due to all the red flags and a mechanical issue we had," admitted Albers, "but overall I feel quite positive about the tyre test. I think we've found quite a good tyre for this circuit and we made some progress with other areas of the car. Now, I'm looking forward to the upcoming race at Nurburgring, a track I know quite well from my DTM and F3 days."
"It was good to be back in the car again," added Sutil, "but I just wish it could have been for more time. No matter, it's always good to work with the team, and I can't wait to do my first Friday drive at the next race."