VALLELUNGA, ITALY
TEST REPORT
The Honda Racing F1 Team returned to Europe this week for
the first of two important tests before the San Marino Grand
Prix at Imola in two weeks time. The three-day test at the
Vallelunga circuit in Italy saw Jenson Button, Anthony Davidson
and James Rossiter completing the testing duties as the team
focused on chassis set-up work, tyre programmes and running
the latest specification engine.
Anthony and James began the test on Tuesday morning with
both drivers concentrating on chassis set-up and tyre evaluations
to address the tyre issues encountered in the Australian Grand
Prix and evaluate the options for the San Marino Grand Prix.
Anthony completed 120 laps, setting the fastest time of the
day, with James covering 132 laps.
After flying in from the Australian Grand Prix, Jenson joined
the team on Wednesday, taking over the testing responsibilities
from James. He spent his early laps acclimatising to the car
and the circuit before running through a chassis set-up programme.
Anthony worked through an intensive tyre programme evaluating
tyres for the San Marino and European Grands Prix. Despite
an early afternoon rain shower which interrupted the test
programme for some time, both drivers were able to cover significant
mileage, with Jenson completing 108 laps and Anthony completing
158 laps.
The test programme concluded on Thursday with Jenson continuing
his chassis set-up development, alongside a tyre programme
looking at the best options from Wednesday's running. Anthony
once again focused on tyre work with an evaluation of the
options for the European Grand Prix, along with further development
on tyre warm-up. Jenson completed 113 laps with Anthony running
for an impressive 163 laps.
Jenson Button
"Testing went well this week. The weather wasn't great
yesterday as it was fairly windy and cold but actually that
was perfect for us as we are doing a lot of work to see why
we can't get heat into the tyres or make them work when the
temperatures drop. I spent the two days mostly concentrating
on this along with some regular tyre testing for the next
races. We got some very useful info so all in all it's been
a good test."
Anthony Davidson
"It was a faultless three days of testing this week with
really good reliability enabling us to cover a great deal
of mileage. I completed over 1800kms over the course of the
test. My main focus this week was tyre work, particularly
looking at the options for Imola and also working on the tyre
warm-up issues that we have been experiencing. Although we
have made good progress, there is more work to be done at
Barcelona next week, but overall we are feeling positive about
the car's performance."
James Rossiter
"We had a very good and constructive day on Tuesday.
I ran through various set-up options on the car and also completed
a tyre programme in the afternoon looking at options for the
next race. Overall the day went smoothly and we were able
to cover a lot of mileage."
Mark Ellis
Chief Engineer Vehicle Performance
"We have had an extremely constructive test this week,
with our priorities focused on understanding the issues that
affected our race performance during the Australian Grand
Prix. Our aim is clearly to carry our qualifying performance
into the race to help us to deliver our goals. We are optimistic
that our efforts this week, coupled with the many new components
to be tested next week in Barcelona, will achieve this in
Imola."
Shuhei Nakamoto
Management Board Member - Honda Racing F1 Team, Engineering
Director - Honda Racing Development
"The engine ran very well for all three days of the test
this week and we will be continuing the development programme
in Barcelona next week in preparation for the San Marino Grand
Prix."
TEST STATS
Drivers Tuesday 4 April
Wednesday 5 April Thursday 6 April
Jenson Button -
108 laps Fastest lap 01:15.436 113 laps Fastest lap
01:14.661
Anthony Davidson 120 laps Fastest lap 01:12.804
158 laps
Fastest lap 01:14.749 163 laps Fastest lap 01:14.504
James Rossiter 132 laps Fastest lap 01:13.081 -
|
