JEREZ, SPAIN
TEST REPORT
The Honda Racing F1 Team completed its second test of the
close season at the Jerez circuit in Spain today. The main
focus of this week's test was the continued evaluation of
the Bridgestone Potenza tyres with Rubens Barrichello, Christian
Klien and James Rossiter fulfilling the driving duties.
Christian and James began the test on Wednesday with cold
and damp conditions meaning that both drivers went out on
Bridgestone wet weather tyres for the first time. Emerging
sunny weather ensured that the track was dry by lunchtime,
allowing the planned test programme to begin. Christian continued
his acclimatisation to the car as he spent the afternoon working
to find a consistent balance, completing 90 laps. James also
focused on car set-up work, running for 104 laps.
Rubens joined the team on Thursday, taking over from James.
He spent his early laps finding a good balance before running
through a suspension evaluation, alongside general car set-up
work, covering 105 laps. Christian spent most of the day concentrating
on an intensive aero programme before finishing with some
electronics set-up work, completing 99 laps.
Heavy overnight rain in Jerez meant that the start of running
was slightly delayed on the final morning. Rubens and James
went out initially on extreme wets before switching to wet
tyres as the circuit dried out. Rubens completed a couple
of short set-up runs to look at engine control settings, whilst
James worked through a longer tyre evaluation run. During
the afternoon, both drivers continued with set-up work and
longer tyre runs on the Bridgestone dry tyres, with Rubens
completing 66 laps and James completing 109 laps.
Rubens Barrichello
"The car has felt better and more balanced this week
than in Barcelona. We have repeated some of our work from
last week, alongside some new evaluations, so we have a good
conclusion for which direction to take the new car. I had
a good two days this week, covering a lot of laps yesterday
in particular and the car has been very reliable. As this
is my last test of the year, I would like to thank the team
for their hard work and the good times that we have had this
year, and I'm looking forward to seeing how we improve in
2007."
Christian Klien
"It was my second test with the team this week and again
everything went very well. We were able to get on with some
proper testing straight away and did a lot of work on the
tyres to increase our understanding of how to get the best
out of them. We also did a good amount of general set-up work
with the car. I am feeling more comfortable in the car this
week and I am really enjoying working with Honda."
James Rossiter
"We have learnt a lot this week, particularly about understanding
the tyres better. The weather conditions weren't ideal yesterday
but we did complete some valuable running in the afternoon.
The wet weather this morning gave us the chance to run on
the extreme wets for the first time which was useful. In the
dry conditions we worked on the balance of the car and improving
the balance for long runs."
Mark Ellis - Chief Engineer Vehicle Performance
"We have had another very productive week, working to
acclimatise to the new Bridgestone tyres. Since last week's
test in Barcelona, we have been analysing all the data gathered,
which has provided us with some new and interesting directions
for the car set-up. These have proven to be successful and
reflected in our competitiveness this week. This week's changeable
weather conditions have also allowed us to work with the new
wet weather tyres which have also performed consistently."
The Honda Racing F1 Team will complete its final test of
2006 at the Jerez circuit next week from Wednesday 13 - Friday
15 December.
TEST STATS (NB - All timings are unofficial)
Drivers Chassis Wednesday 06 December
Thursday 07 December Friday 08 December
Rubens Barrichello RA106-02 -
105 laps Fastest lap 01:19.759 66 laps Fastest lap
01:19.981
Christian Klien RA106-06 90 laps Fastest lap 01:20.380
99 laps Fastest lap 01:20.026 -
James Rossiter RA106-02/06 104 laps Fastest lap
01:20.706 - 109
laps Fastest lap 01:20.150
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