Honda Racing F1 Team completes Jerez test
The Honda Racing F1 Team was back at the Circuito de Jerez
this week for a second consecutive week of testing.
 Rubens
Barrichello, Jenson Button and Anthony Davidson were all in
attendance as the team continues to develop its two Concept
cars, focusing on tyre, engine and aerodynamic performance
evaluations. Overall it was a very positive test for the team
which now looks forward to the debut of the new RA106 car
at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona on Wednesday 25 January.
Jenson and Anthony began the test programme on Wednesday
although a very cold morning with low track temperatures limited
the drivers to installation laps. Once the track had warmed
up, both Jenson and Anthony completed set-up programmes, followed
by tyre and aerodynamic evaluations. Jenson completed 97 laps
setting the fastest time of the day, with Anthony completing
134 laps.
Rubens joined the test on Thursday taking over from Anthony
as once again the drivers were limited to short set-up runs
by the low temperatures. Rubens completed 62 laps over the
day as he continued to work on the set-up of the car and acclimatise
himself to the car and the Michelin tyres. Jenson’s
programme also consisted of set-up work followed by a tyre
evaluation. He completed 93 laps, setting the fastest time
of the day for the second day in succession.
Heavy fog around the circuit on Friday meant that no serious
running was possible until lunchtime. The afternoon proved
far more productive as Jenson and Rubens went out to complete
comprehensive tyre programmes. Rubens completed 103 laps,
setting the second fastest time, with Jenson completing an
impressive 120 laps in the session.
Rubens Barrichello – Fastest lap: 01:18.529
(Friday)
“I am continuing to learn with every day that I spend
with the team and am very happy with the progress that we
have made over the last two weeks. Even though we started
quite late today, we have still been able to have a lot of
laps this afternoon and seen some good results. I hope that
my input helps the team continue the development and progress
further when we have the new car available next week.”
Jenson Button – Fastest lap: 01:18.388 (Wednesday)
"Testing went really well this week, particularly taking
into account the lack of running time in the mornings. I completed
a lot of laps as we are focusing mainly on tyre testing and
reliability work at the moment. This is our last test with
the Concept car and I’m really looking forward to testing
the new car next week.”
Anthony Davidson – Fastest lap: 01:18.669 (Wenesday)
“I had a good day on Wednesday completing 134 laps as
we focused mainly on tyre testing. The car was reliable again
and our long runs were by far the best of all the cars running
on Wednesday. The car seemed really strong after ten laps
or so and we did a lot of work on the pace of the car over
the long runs. We saw some really good results so I was very
happy with the day’s work. It’s promising that
we seem to have the pace at the moment because naturally the
new car will be even faster. I’m really looking forward
to getting in the new car next week and putting it through
its paces.”
Mark Ellis, Chief Test Engineer
“Despite the short sessions due to the early morning
conditions this week, we have completed over 2700km with the
Concept car which has again proven to be extremely reliable.
We have been able to identify the limits of several components
which will prove invaluable in ensuring our continued strong
reliability. We have mainly focused on tyre testing with our
partner Michelin which has yielded some important results.
Rubens is now becoming fully acquainted with the team, the
car and the tyres and is proving a huge benefit to us.”
Shuhei Nakamoto, Engineering Director, Honda Racing
Development
“Another pleasing test overall with lots more data gathered
on the engine. I'm excited about seeing how the new total
package, the RA106, performs on its first run next week.”
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