2006 SAN MARINO GRAND PRIX
IMOLA - PREVIEW
The Formula One European season gets underway in Imola next
weekend with the fourth round of the 2006 FIA World Championship.
After the first three flyaway races, the F1 teams return to
Europe and the drivers look forward to the challenge of the
more traditional circuits on the F1 calendar.
Since returning from Australia, the Honda Racing F1 Team
has completed two important tests at Vallelunga and Barcelona.
Covering over 3500kms in six intensive days, the team put
some new aerodynamic parts through their paces and worked
on the tyre warm-up issues which compromised the race performance
in Melbourne. As a result, the team is optimistic that it
can start to realise more of the RA106's qualifying speed
in the race situation.
RUBENS BARRICHELLO
"The Imola circuit is a good one for the drivers. I really
like the layout and the challenge of setting up the car which
is not easy. Imola has had its ups and downs for me; I have
had a lot of support from the fans there in the past but there
are also some very sad memories. Our difficulties during the
last race in Australia have made us work even harder in testing
over the last couple of weeks and there is a good feeling
that we have made some solid progress. The whole team feels
positive about this weekend and I share those feelings so
we're hoping for a competitive race."
JENSON BUTTON
"I've always really enjoyed racing in Imola. The track
has a mixture of different types of corners and a few chicanes
and is quite challenging for the drivers. There's always a
fun atmosphere and it's a track where I have great memories.
In 2004 I qualified in pole position here which was my first
pole in F1 and finished the race in second place. It's good
to be back in Europe following the first three races where
we were able to achieve a podium position and some points.
Obviously we were extremely disappointed with our performance
in Australia, however we have made good progress in testing
and I am confident we will be competitive in Imola. Hopefully
it should be a good weekend for us."
GIL DE FERRAN
Sporting Director
"Imola represents the start of the European season and
the challenge of four races in just one month. Traditionally
this is the weekend when many teams target the introduction
of development upgrades to their cars, which can reshuffle
the order of performance established at the first three flyaway
races. With this in mind, we have not stood still since Australia
and have evaluated many potential improvements to both the
performance and reliability of the RA106 at our tests in Vallelunga
and Barcelona. Our team has traditionally gone very well in
Imola, so it all looks good for us to get our championship
challenge back on track."
SHUHEI NAKAMOTO
Management Board Member - Honda Racing F1 Team, Engineering
Director - Honda Racing Development
"The countermeasure for Jenson's engine problem in Melbourne
worked to our satisfaction in Barcelona and we are introducing
a more powerful spec for the start of the European season."
Imola Circuit, San Marino
Race Distance 62 laps
Circuit Length 3.065 miles (4.933 kms)
The arrival of the Formula One teams at Imola marks the start
of the European season. Located in Tuscan parkland 20 miles
south-east of Bologna, the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari was
first used in 1952 and through the years has been a venue
for both the San Marino and Italian GPs. The circuit has gained
a reputation as a fast, wide-open circuit with some truly
daunting corners. Following the tragic deaths of Ayrton Senna
and Roland Ratzenberger in 1994, the straights were shortened
and punctuated by chicanes. As the nature of the circuit changed,
chassis set-up priorities shifted from low downforce that
maximises straight-line speed, to higher levels of downforce
which keep cornering speeds up.
Despite the modifications, Imola remains an interesting circuit
for the drivers. The straights are not so long that they place
an absolute premium on outright power, while the chicanes
and bumpy track surface demand good handling characteristics.
Along with Interlagos and Istanbul, Imola also holds the distinction
of being one of only three anti-clockwise circuits used during
the year.
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