Honda Racing F1 Team - Valencia Test Report
Dates: 28 February - 2 March
Location: Circuit de la Comunitat Ricardo Tormo, Valencia
The Honda Racing F1 Team concluded its winter testing programme
at the Valencia circuit in Spain today. Third driver Anthony
Davidson was at the wheel of the Honda RA106 to complete the
three-day programme with the team concentrating on final race
preparations, comprehensive tyre evaluations with team partner
Michelin and running the latest specification RA806E engine.
Anthony began the test on Tuesday, spending his early laps
setting up chassis RA106-02 followed by a series of tyre evaluations.
He completed 146 laps setting the second fastest time overall.
The tyre programme continued on Wednesday and Thursday as
Anthony evaluated tyre options for the forthcoming flyaway
races. He completed 144 laps on Wednesday and 122 laps on
Thursday, setting the fastest time on Thursday - a 01:08.544
- to bring the team's final day of testing to a close by breaking
the unofficial lap record at the Valencia circuit.
This final pre-season test concludes an intensive development
programme since the RA106 car made its debut on 25 January,
covering 14700kms over eighteen test days, with the car proving
to be consistently strong in its pace and reliability. The
Honda Racing F1 Team is now looking forward to the Bahrain
Grand Prix in ten days and seeing how the RA106 will perform
in a competitive race environment.
Summary of Testing Anthony Davidson
Chassis RA106-02
Tues 28 Feb Laps 146
Fastest time 01:10.522
Weds 1 March Laps 144
Fastest time 01:10.303
Thurs 2 March Laps 122
Fastest time 01:08:544
Anthony Davidson
"It's been another really good test this week and we
were able to cover lots of miles every day. We focused mainly
on tyre evaluations but also did some set-up work which found
improvements on the aero and mechanical set-up of the car.
The car feels good and it has been generally fast and well
balanced all week. It was great to finish off the long winter
testing season by breaking the unofficial lap record today!
We're all looking forward to Bahrain now, I think we'll be
strong there and I can't wait to get back to driving on Fridays
again."
Mark Ellis, Chief Engineer Vehicle Performance
"This week brings our winter testing programme ahead
of the 2006 season to a very satisfying conclusion. Anthony
has driven superbly, completing a huge amount of laps every
day at an impressive pace. Since November 2005, we have now
completed thirty five days of testing with the RA106 and the
Concept car, covering over 27000kms. Throughout February we
have been able to complete well over 500kms in each car per
day. The performance and reliability demonstrated by the RA106
is testament to the skill and effort of everyone at the Honda
Racing F1 Team, both in Brackley and Tochigi. The whole team
has worked tirelessly to ensure that we are in the best possible
shape ahead of the first races of the season."
Shuhei Nakamoto, Engineering Director, Honda Racing Development
"A very pleasing way to end the winter testing programme.
The Bahrain specification engine ran well with its final refinements,
and we are ready to race."
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