BARCELONA, SPAIN
TEST REPORT
The Honda Racing F1 Team's final test before the start of
the European races finished today at the Circuit de Catalunya
in Barcelona. Taking advantage of the final opportunity to
run on the track before the Spanish Grand Prix in May, the
team concentrated on aerodynamic and chassis set-up developments,
comprehensive tyre programmes for the forthcoming races and
running an upgraded engine specification in preparation for
the San Marino Grand Prix next weekend. Race drivers Rubens
Barrichello and Jenson Button, joined by third driver Anthony
Davidson, completed 3500kms over the three days, with the
RA106 race car showing strong reliability and improved pace.
Rubens and Anthony began the running on Wednesday, with both
drivers starting their test programme with set-up work followed
by aero evaluations. Rubens continued to work through the
aero programme in the afternoon session, with Anthony concentrating
on chassis set-up work. Rubens completed 106 laps in total,
setting the second fastest time of the day, with Anthony covering
113 laps.
Jenson joined the team on Thursday, spending his early runs
finding a good balance on the car before working through an
aero programme, alongside some chassis set-up work. Rubens
also concentrated on an aero evaluation in the morning session,
before completing a tyre programme looking at the options
for the forthcoming races. Jenson completed an impressive
150 laps, covering nearly 700kms, with Rubens totalling 133
laps over the day.
Jenson began his running on Friday looking at general car
set-up work, before completing a tyre evaluation over longer
runs to end the morning session. He spent the afternoon working
through a short aero evaluation followed by further set-up
work. Rubens concentrated on chassis set-up work covering
54 laps over the morning. Due to a trapped nerve in his shoulder,
he sat out the afternoon session with Anthony taking over
in chassis 03. Anthony successfully ran through the planned
tyre evaluation, completing 69 laps.
Rubens Barrichello
"I really enjoyed my time in the car this week and we
have made some good progress, I feel more comfortable and
am getting more used to the car. We also made a step forward
with the traction control, although there is still work to
be done in this area. The only misfortune is that I have pulled
a slight nerve in my shoulder so I stopped running at lunchtime
today to get it checked out. Overall it's been another positive
week and we're looking forward to getting to Imola next weekend."
Jenson Button
"A fairly straightforward test this week with a lot of
test items to get through before we go into the European season.
We focused mainly on aero developments and tyre testing for
the next few races and I feel that we've made a positive step
forward with our aero package and also on the tyre warming
work."
Anthony Davidson
"It was another good test this week. I covered quite
a few laps on Wednesday working on the chassis set-up for
the next few races and we made some good progress. I stood
in for Rubens this afternoon and completed a successful tyre
evaluation covering 69 laps. So it was a busy afternoon for
me but we made the most of the time and were pleased to finish
the test programme as scheduled."
Mark Ellis
Chief Engineer Vehicle Performance
"We have had an extremely busy test this week and have
covered many new developments for the forthcoming European
races. Both cars have shown impressive reliability for all
three days enabling comprehensive programmes with new aero
parts, tyres, chassis set-up and control systems to be completed."
Shuhei Nakamoto
Management Board Member - Honda Racing F1 Team, Engineering
Director - Honda Racing Development
"We've put a good number of miles on the latest spec
engine this week and successfully ran the engine to its target
mileage. We are happy with the countermeasure for the issue
that Jenson suffered in Melbourne and we will be introducing
a more powerful engine for Imola."
TEST STATS
Drivers Chassis Wednesday 12 April
Thursday 13 April Friday 14 April
Rubens Barrichello RA106-03 106 laps Fastest lap
01:15.125 133 laps Fastest lap 01:15.387 54 laps
Fastest lap 01:14.998
Jenson Button RA106-02 -
150 laps Fastest lap 01:15.270 132 laps Fastest lap 01:14.716
Anthony Davidson RA106-02/3 113 laps Fastest lap
01:15.342 - 69
laps Fastest lap 01:15.538
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