Barcelona Test - Day three
SUTIL CLOSES TEST FOR FORCE INDIA ON A HIGH
16 April 2008 - Adrian Sutil has brought the Force India
Formula One Team's pre-Spanish Grand Prix to a close today
at the Circuit de Catalunya. The team once more finished high
up the classifications, with Adrian recording the third quickest
time of the day.
The German's best lap, a 1min 19.424, was set on slick tyres
with 2008 aero, and was just one tenth slower than the second
best time set by Michael Schumacher. As with Tonio and Giancarlo
on the previous two days, Adrian ran with 2008 tyres and aero
configuration in the morning to test settings for next week's
Spanish Grand Prix, and also tried 'slick' tyres in preparation
for their reintroduction in 2009. He completed 475km over
the day, bringing the team's total mileage to over 1, 200km
this test.
The test team will now return to the Force India factory
in Silverstone to integrate this week's findings into race
team preparations for the Spanish Grand Prix in just over
a week's time.
Team quotes
Mike Gascoyne, chief technical officer
'A useful day to finish what has been a very productive test.
We had a minor clutch problem in the morning that caused a
small delay in running, but we nevertheless completed the
day's programme. Adrian tested the 2008 configuration in the
morning in preparation for next week's race and also ran on
a couple of sets of 2009 tyres. Overall, the test has been
very useful, we've finished our scheduled work and we look
in good shape for the Grand Prix.'
Adrian Sutil
'I was quite happy with today. We did a lot of running, which
wasn't bad considering the small problem we had in the morning,
and the car has improved a lot since the last time we were
here in February. I think it looks good for the race. I also
tried out slicks, which was my first time this year, and was
really impressed. The grip is just amazing, especially in
the last sector, but it is also very physical on your neck
muscles. I'm looking forward to it already!'
Testing data
Driver: Adrian Sutil
Track: Circuit de Catalunya, Spain
Best lap time: 1min 19.424
Laps completed: 102
Kilometres completed 475km
Air temperature: High of 17ºC
Track temperature: High of 32ºC
Weather: Sunny most of the day
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