04/07/2008
NEWS STORY
The Force India Formula One Team started its preparations for this weekend's British Grand Prix today at an unusually warm and sunny Silverstone Circuit. Following a successful three-day test at the same track last week, the team completed further mileage with its major new aerodynamic and mechanical package, including a new inertia damper, front wing, sidepods and 'shark's fin' engine cover.
With dry conditions today but rain predicted over the weekend, work focused on gathering more information on this new package and comparing the tyres compounds available this weekend. Giancarlo Fisichella completed a total of 61 laps over the day, recording the 19th and 16th quickest times in the morning and afternoon sessions respectively, just over 1.5secs from the fastest time of the day and within five tenths of a second from 10th position.
Adrian Sutil also had productive practice sessions, putting in 46 laps of the 5.141km Northamptonshire circuit as he too completed his scheduled programme.
Adrian Sutil: Overall not such a bad day. We did some positive work this morning with the damper, it feels quite good and now we have to decide whether we use it or not for the race, but I feel pretty confident when we do run it. Aero wise there was an improvement carried over from the test, about two or three tenths, but overall I think I can improve everything a little bit more for tomorrow. I saw the potential today and on different laps I've had sectors that have looked quite good, now we just have to put it all together.
Giancarlo Fisichella: It was a normal Friday for us. We have made a small step forward with the new package and over the longer runs there seems to be a more consistent balance and under braking the car feels more stable. We're getting there, but the other teams have also made some improvements and there is still some work to do. We will have to see what happens tomorrow with the predicted rain.
Mike Gascoyne, chief technical officer: A very productive day, with no real problems on either car, really just working through tyre comparisons and set up options for the weekend. We ran the front inertial damper for the first time on both cars, and the performance seemed positive. Overall the package of improvements we've got here seem to be working well and we appear to be closer to the midfield group. We just have to see what the weather brings for the next two days.