Honda Racing F1 Team - Test Report
Dates: Tuesday 21 - Thursday 23 March
Location: Vallelunga, Italy
The Honda Racing F1 Team returned to the test track this
week following the first two flyaway races of the 2006 Formula
One season. Fresh from a podium finish for Jenson Button in
Malaysia, the team has now turned its attention to preparations
for the upcoming race in Australia and the European season
which starts in four weeks time.
Third driver Anthony Davidson and young driver James Rossiter
completed the bulk of the test programme at the Vallelunga
circuit in Italy, with Rubens Barrichello joining the team
on the third and final day. The focus for the week was a comprehensive
Michelin tyre programme, brake evaluations and chassis set-up
work, alongside running the latest specification Honda engine.
As with the other F1 tests throughout Europe, the inconsistent
weather played its role in the test schedule this week. Intermittent
rain showers prevented any dry running on Tuesday morning,
so both drivers completed early wet set-up runs. The circuit
dried out sufficiently by early afternoon to allow Anthony
and James to begin their dry programmes. Anthony ran through
a tyre evaluation completing 140 laps, with James concentrating
on a chassis programme looking at various set-up options in
the new chassis 05, completing 97 laps.
Wednesday dawned bright and sunny although the weather conditions
deteriorated quickly. Both drivers concentrated on chassis
set-up evaluations in their respective cars. Despite rain
showers which affected the test programme during the afternoon
session, Anthony completed 67 laps, with James running for
35 laps.
Rubens joined the team on Friday and completed some early
runs to acclimatise himself to the circuit and track conditions.
Anthony began the day running through further chassis set-up
work before a rain shower brought the morning session to an
early close. The weather conditions continued to deteriorate
with thunderstorms followed by heavy rain preventing any further
running until the last hour of the day. Both drivers were
then able to go out on extreme wet tyres to complete a few
runs before the circuit closed. Rubens completed 46 laps today,
with Anthony running for 82 laps.
Summary of Testing Rubens Barrichello
Anthony Davidson James Rossiter
Chassis RA106-05
RA106-02 RA106-05
Tues 21 March Laps -
140 97
Fastest time -
01:15.775 01:16.416
Weds 22 March Laps -
67 35
Fastest time -
01:16.040 01:17.608
Thurs 23 March Laps 46
82 -
Fastest time 01:17.092
01:15.937 -
Rubens Barrichello
"I had a few dry runs in the car this morning but was
still learning the circuit by the time that it started raining.
The end of the day was more positive as I had a couple of
runs right at the end on wet tyres to give me more of a feel
for the car and set-up. This track has helped me test the
new ideas that we have, which I found useful, and I will certainly
be using these in Australia and hope to have a good weekend
there."
Anthony Davidson
"It was interesting going to a new circuit at Vallelunga
this week, although we struggled with the weather. Day one
was the best day of running where we did 140 laps. We have
made good headway with some control developments over the
week and found positive results. We also worked on general
set-up for the car and put lots of mileage on one engine.
I'm looking forward to going to Melbourne and driving on Friday
again."
James Rossiter
"We had a good day in Vallelunga on Tuesday, It was the
first time I've been here so we spent some time learning the
circuit. The afternoon session was particularly useful as
we were able to complete some good dry running which really
helped me understand the car and we made some progress on
the set-up. The weather interrupted our running on Wednesday
but we did manage to get some evaluations completed towards
the end of the day."
Mark Ellis - Chief Engineer Vehicle Performance
"Despite the variable weather this week, we have had
a very positive test. Our main focus has been to work on the
areas prioritised following the opening races and the Vallelunga
circuit has lent itself well to these requirements. The weather
has not prevented us working through a comprehensive programme
with the electronic systems and we have made good progress
with both the control systems and the chassis set-up in dry
and wet conditions. We did not have enough dry running to
complete all our planned tyre tests, but we have some very
positive results that will carry forward to the next tests
before the start of the European races."
Shuhei Nakamoto - Management Board Member,
Honda Racing F1 Team - Engineering Director, Honda Racing
Development "Due to the rain, we concentrated more on
control systems improvements rather than the search for more
power and higher revs this week. That has brought us some
good results which will help us fix the most appropriate engine
maps for Melbourne."
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