Honda F1 - Jerez Test Report
Thursday 9 February 2006
Dates: 7-9 February
Location: Circuito de Jerez, Spain
The Honda Racing F1 Team moved its testing programme to Jerez
in Southern Spain this week as preparations gather pace for
the new season. Race drivers Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello
were at the wheel of two RA106s and again demonstrated the
early strength of the new package.
Rubens and Jenson began the test on Wednesday and spent the
morning session setting up their respective cars. In the afternoon,
Rubens completed a race simulation exercise, whilst Jenson
ran through a tyre programme over longer runs, together with
an aero evaluation. Rubens completed 114 laps setting the
third fastest time of the day, with Jenson totalling 139 laps
and setting the second fastest time.
Rubens ran through a chassis set-up programme on Thursday
completing 60 laps. Jenson began the day with a tyre evaluation.
Following an early engine change due to an electrical problem,
he continued the tyre programme in the afternoon session to
complete a total of 58 laps, once again setting the second
fastest time of the day.
The test programme continued on Thursday with one car. Jenson
changed to chassis RA106-02 and began with some early set-up
runs before completing a tyre evaluation over long runs during
the afternoon session. He completed a total of 119 laps today,
running the V8 engine in chassis RA106-02 to its target mileage.
The team will now move to Bahrain where they intend to take
advantage of the warmer climate to complete a valuable four-day
test at the Bahrain International Circuit which will host
the season-opening race in just over four weeks time.
Summary of Testing - Rubens Barrichello
- Jenson Button
Chassis RA106-02 - RA106-01 - RA106-02
Tues 7 Feb Laps 114 139
Fastest time 01:18.609 01:18.242
Weds 8 Feb Laps 60 58
Fastest time 01:17.503 01:17.106
Thurs 9 Feb Laps 119
Fastest time 01.17.960
Rubens Barrichello
“Following an encouraging start to the week on Wednesday
with a lot of laps completed, we had a more difficult second
day on Thursday. I had some issues with the brakes which cost
track time. We were still able to complete a good set-up programme
though which is something I need to continue working on over
the next couple of tests. Looking at the test overall, Jenson
has had some positive running and our pace seems competitive
so I think the signs are very encouraging.”
Jenson Button
“We’ve had two great days for putting mileage
on the car, covering 139 laps on the first day and 119 laps
today. There have been a few small issues over the test but
we have solved these today. It’s been good to get so
many laps in before the Bahrain test next week which will
probably be the most important test of the year for us. “
Mark Ellis, Chief Engineer Vehicle Performance
“Despite a difficult day on Wednesday, this has been
another positive test for us. The pace of the RA106 has again
been very encouraging and the car has been extremely reliable
despite a couple of small issues. We are looking forward to
next week’s four-day test in Bahrain where we can fully
evaluate the latest tyre developments from Michelin in realistic
conditions and start our real preparations for the opening
races.”
Shuhei Nakamoto, Engineering Director, Honda Racing
Development
“We have had some issues with the engine this week
so we need to keep focusing on the reliability. We will have
some new improvements next week on the engine that we will
be running in Bahrain. Overall we are in good shape.”
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