Barcelona Test - Day two
SOLID PROGRESS IN BARCELONA FOR FORCE INDIA
14 November 2007 - Force India Formula One Team has completed
another trouble-free day of testing at the Circuit de Catalunya,
Spain. The three drivers testing for the team today, Adrian
Sutil, Christian Klien and Vitantonio Liuzzi, continued the
team's programme of accumulating data on the new electronic
control units, putting in more than 1,000km.
The trio were incredibly closely matched over the day, finishing
within two tenths of each other, however it was Klien who
posted the team's fastest time; a 1min 24.446.
Austrian Klien, who last tested for the team in Spa back
in August, piloted one car throughout the morning, before
handing it to Liuzzi just after 13:00hrs. The Italian put
in 56 laps, just a tenth from the Klien's fastest time. Sutil
meanwhile completed a comprehensive programme throughout the
day to gather plenty of information on the new-for-2008 electronics.
A huge 105 laps later, both he and the team were pleased with
the progress shown today.
Klien and Liuzzi will take one car each to continue their
respective programmes tomorrow, the third and final day of
the test.
Team quotes
Mike Gascoyne, chief technical officer
'Generally a very productive day of testing. Our major test
item on both cars was the standard ECU configuration. We had
no major problems and were work through to get through the
unsolved issues, with both cars completing over 100 laps each.
It was also a chance to test Christian and Tonio, who had
their first runs in the car to make themselves comfortable.
We will continue our programme tomorrow with them driving
a car each for the whole day.'
Adrian Sutil
'We put in some long runs today, which were very consistent
and let us see really where the balance of the car was. At
the end of the day it did not feel too different to the last
races, as the car is the same just with the new electronics,
but without the traction control. It takes time for everyone
to get used to it as it is very sensitive now and difficult
to get the maximum acceleration. This was the main point today;
to concentrate on braking and acceleration, but it was also
a day for me to drive and get used to the new package.'
Christian Klien
'I was pretty pleased with the testing today, especially considering
I had not tested a car since August. It took some time to
get used to it again, particularly without any of the driver
aids, but once I had settled in I could put in some good times
and help the team with its programme. Doing 56 laps in just
over a morning was pretty good and I'm looking forward to
getting back in the car for some more tomorrow.'
Vitantonio Liuzzi
'I think today went well. For sure I enjoyed it. With traction
control there is a bit more action, and you need some more
concentration and have to work harder, especially over longer
runs. I had some problems getting comfortable in the cockpit,
which is normal after years at another team and lost maybe
a couple of tenths, but I think we did some good work today.
The car has some small issues, but we can always overcome
it - the team is very professional. I am just doing my best
and seeing if we can work well together.'
Testing data
Driver: Adrian Sutil, Christian Klien & Vitantonio Liuzzi
Track: Circuit de Catalunya, Spain
Best lap time: 1min 24.446 (Christian) / 1min 24.537 (Adrian)
/ 1min 24.555 (Tonio)
Laps completed: 56 (Christian), 105 (Adrian), 55 (Tonio)
Kilometres completed: 1,006km (261km Christian / 489km Adrian
/ 256km Tonio)
Air temperature: High of 20ºC
Track temperature: High of 21ºC
Weather: Dry, cold but clear throughout the day
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