BARCELONA, SPAIN
TEST REPORT
The Honda Racing F1 Team returned to the familiar location
of the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona this week for a three-day
test in preparation for next weekend's British Grand Prix.
A comprehensive tyre programme for the Silverstone race, along
with chassis set-up work and running the latest specification
engine were the main test items this week.
Race drivers Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello, along
with Anthony Davidson and James Rossiter, were all in attendance
as the team completed the final preparations for the first
of its two home races of the season.
Heavy rain on the first morning of the test on Wednesday
prevented any running until 11.00am when Jenson and Rubens
were able to go out on extreme wet tyres to complete a small
number of laps. With the circuit completely dry for the afternoon's
running, Jenson worked on a chassis set-up programme completing
102 laps. Rubens ran through an aero evaluation, followed
by a tyre programme, to complete 110 laps.
With the weather returning to more typical Spanish sunshine
on Thursday, both Jenson and Rubens focused on tyre evaluations
looking at the options for the British Grand Prix, alongside
aero programmes in their respective cars. Jenson completed
109 laps over the day, with Rubens completing 98 laps after
losing a small amount of time to an early afternoon engine
change.
Anthony and James took over the driving responsibilities
for the final day of the test on Friday. Anthony spent the
day focusing on chassis set-up work and further tyre programmes,
looking at the best of the options from the previous two days.
He finished the day with a short aero run, completing 139
laps despite a spin at turn four which cost him some time.
James lost much of his morning running after going off at
turn four early in the session; however he went back out after
lunch to work through an aero evaluation and chassis set-up
work, completing 105 laps.
Jenson Button
"The test went well this week. We did our normal tyre
testing programme for the British Grand Prix next weekend
which was very useful. We also looked at set-up work to resolve
the issues we experienced in Monaco, and focused on finding
a set-up which is consistent. We did a great deal of work
this week and I think we are getting the maximum out of the
car that we can at the moment."
Rubens Barrichello
"Once again we were able to complete a lot of laps this
week, and only the engine problem caused us to lose a little
time. We spent the first day of the test checking out tyres
and some set-up work. On Thursday we were able to look at
some changes on the mechanical side of the car and I quite
liked the results that we found. Overall I think the two days
in Barcelona have been quite useful. The times were maybe
not so impressive but we know where we stand, and I feel quite
comfortable going to the British Grand Prix."
Anthony Davidson
"We covered 139 laps today which was good as the car
was reliable yet again and we took the engine to above its
target mileage. We completed some valuable tyre testing for
Silverstone next weekend and also looked at different aero
evaluations finding some promising results."
James Rossiter
"I made a small mistake this morning which unfortunately
compromised our programme for the day. However we recovered
well and ended up getting in a good number of laps and finding
some useful items for the forthcoming races."
Mark Ellis - Chief Engineer Vehicle Performance
"We have had quite a positive week, covering a lot of
laps, working through set-up options and tyre development
programmes ahead of next weekend's British Grand Prix. Both
Rubens and Jenson are happy with the work that we have achieved
this week and we have collected a lot of data which will be
used to hone forthcoming developments."
Shuhei Nakamoto
Management Board Member - Honda Racing F1 Team, Engineering
Director - Honda Racing Development
"This week has been useful in giving us the data that
we need to decide on the final engine specification for Silverstone.
We will make our decisions after analysing all the information
over the weekend."
TEST STATS
Drivers Chassis Wednesday 31 May
Thursday 1 June Friday 2 June
Jenson Button RA106-02 102 laps Fastest lap 01:15.523
109 laps Fastest lap 01:15.581 -
Rubens Barrichello RA106-06 110 laps Fastest lap 01:16.170
98 laps Fastest lap 01:15.765 -
Anthony Davidson RA106-02 -
- 139 laps Fastest lap
01:15.609
James Rossiter RA106-06 -
- 105 laps Fastest lap
01:15.629
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