01/02/2007
NEWS STORY
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Ralf Schumacher was the surprise pace-setter on the third day of testing at Valencia, as conditions finally improved allowing drivers to complete more mileage and improve times.
Toyota was due to have both Ralf and Jarno Trulli on duty, however, on Wednesday evening high temperatures were recorded around the rear crash structure, leaving the team with no option but to run the German today and give his Italian teammate an unscheduled day off.
The team made the best of the situation and Schumacher was able to run system checks and gain set-up data. A fuel pump issue interrupted his work soon after lunch, as well as a series of red flags, but he was back on track later in the afternoon and set a string of competitive lap times to finish the day fastest overall.
"We had a few minor issues but in general it was a positive day," said the German. "The car again felt good and in the afternoon I had the chance to work on set-up which seemed to go quite well. I am still optimistic about this car's potential but it is too early to say where we stand compared with the others. It was nice to set the fastest time of the day but we still have a lot of work to do."
"Obviously today did not go as planned due to the high temperatures around the rear crash structure that we discovered last night," admitted Pascal Vasselon. "Unfortunately this meant we were not able to run a two-car programme as planned. These kind of things are a natural part of testing and they are one of the reasons why all teams test their cars so much before the season. The guys worked hard to make sure Ralf had a chance to put some more miles on the TF107 in the afternoon and that gave us some important information. We will now look into all the data and get back testing next week in Jerez, where we expect to continue the positive progress we have made so far on the new car."
Giving the Toyota a run for its money was the Renault duo of Fisichella (pictured) and Kovalainen, both drivers completing over a hundred laps, and both finishing within 0.3s of Schumacher's best time.
Thanks to the almost ideal conditions - the first dry start this week - Fisichella and Kovalainen got down to work immediately this morning, focusing primarily on reliability testing. The goal for both R27 chassis was to complete a full race distance, and for the drivers to practice techniques such as full pit-stops, start-line procedures and race starts.
The day proved extremely productive, with over 230 laps completed in total, and a promising level of performance from both cars. The team collected a large amount of useful data, and completed its entire programme in the allotted time. They hope to continue in the same vein tomorrow, as the test has been extended by a day owing to the poor weather earlier in the week.
"We had good track conditions for the first time this week," said Fisichella, "and we made good progress with the programme. That's a satisfying result, and I think we are pretty pleased with the information we have collected today."
"This was a good day for the team," added his teammate, "and we found some good directions that we can hone at the next tests. We still have another day of running to complete, and I hope it will be productive as this one was."
Fernando Alonso finished fourth fastest, the McLaren driver completing 98 laps on his way to posting a best time of 1:11.710. Like yesterday, the Woking outfit was running its two Spanish drivers, Fernando and Pedro de la Rosa focussing on set-up and aerodynamic development, with the MP4-22 running for the first time this week in fully dry conditions.
Tomorrow, the final day of testing here, Lewis Hamilton will join de la Rosa, the Englishman back in the cockpit for the first time after his crash here last week.
It was mixed fortunes for BMW, which had Heidfeld and Kubica on duty. The German had a good day as he worked on set-ups as well as a comparison between tyre compounds. In the afternoon he completed several longer runs for tyre evaluation purposes.
However, Kubica's day was compromised by an unspecified technical problem that cost the Pole precious track-time. Prior to this problem Kubica had been focussing on set-up work and had achieved some positive results before the gremlins struck.
Tomorrow, Kubica will be joined by Sebastian Vettel as the team concentrates on set-up work, systems and aerodynamics.
It wasn't the best of days for Kimi Raikkonen, who was partnered by Felipe Massa. The Finn had completed 66 laps when he suffered an engine problem mid-afternoon, leaving him 1.063s adrift of today's pace-setter. Meanwhile, Massa, in the 248 F1, continued and completed the planned programme relating to new components.
Kimi will be the Maranello outfit's sole representative tomorrow.
Jenson Button joined Honda today, taking over from Rubens Barrichello. The Englishman continued the set-up and evaluation programme of the new chassis, completing a total of 79 laps.
James Rossiter completed only an early installation run in the RA106 as the team decided to focus all its efforts on the RA107 programme for the remainder of the test. Button will be the Japanese team's sole representative tomorrow.
Once again, the Red Bull was disappointing, with David Coulthard 2.15s off pace, finishing behind Anthony Davidson in the Super Aguri. Meanwhile, Mark Webber shook down the second RB3.
Propping up the timesheets was Kazuki Nakajima in the interim Williams. The English team launches its 2007 contender, the FW29, at Grove tomorrow.