JEREZ, SPAIN
TEST REPORT
The Honda Racing F1 Team completed its final test of the
2006 Formula One season at the Jerez circuit in Spain today.
An intensive fortnight which has seen six days of testing
in Jerez has enabled the team to finalise its preparations
for the remaining three races of the season in China, Japan
and Brazil. The test programme this week concentrated on the
evaluation of the tyres and engine specification for the last
two races along with further chassis and electronic controls
developments.
Anthony Davidson and James Rossiter began the test programme
on Wednesday and spent the day focusing on tyre programmes
to evaluate the options for the final race of the season in
Brazil. Both drivers also ran through electronic systems checks
and a short aero programme with Anthony completing 120 laps
and James totalling 119 laps by the end of the day.
Jenson Button joined the team in Jerez on Thursday for his
final test of the season, taking over from Anthony. Jenson
and James began their running with short aero evaluations
before focusing on further tyre work to evaluate the Brazil
tyre options, along with electronic and suspension work. Both
drivers completed 112 laps, with Jenson setting the fastest
time of the day.
Heavy overnight rain meant that the circuit remained damp
this morning which limited the dry running available to Jenson
and Anthony, who rejoined the test for the final day. Anthony
ran through a race start simulation alongside electronic systems
work whilst Jenson completed a short aero run before having
an early lunch. With the circuit fully dry, both drivers spent
the afternoon continuing their tyre evaluation programme,
followed by chassis set-up work in Anthony's car and a further
aero test for Jenson. The day was then finished off with a
series of race start simulations. Anthony completed 97 laps
with Jenson covering 101 laps as he took the second engine
of the week past its target mileage.
Jenson Button
"We have done some very useful work this week in preparation
for the final three races. Yet again we have had good reliability
and it was very pleasing to see the two engines reach their
target mileage. Although it was very windy yesterday, we have
got a lot of positive results from the three days and completed
our planned programme of aero and tyre work. We were the very
last team to end our test programme with Michelin and a big
thank you to them and our test team. I'm looking forward to
getting out to China now and hopefully getting some good results
in the final three races of the season."
Anthony Davidson
"After working on the tyres for China last week, we spent
this test focusing on the tyre options for the final race
of the season in Brazil along with aero and electronic controls
work. The conditions on Wednesday were difficult as it was
very windy but we were still able to collect some good data
and our times were competitive, particularly on the long runs.
Although it was wet early on this morning, conditions today
were much better. It's been a very good couple of weeks to
round off testing for this season."
James Rossiter
"It has been another good test this week with excellent
reliability from the car and engine so we could cover a lot
of laps on both days. My programme concentrated on evaluating
the tyre options for the Brazil race and some electronics
development work which saw some interesting results."
Mark Ellis - Chief Engineer Vehicle Performance
"We have had an extremely good test this week continuing
the development of further performance improvements for the
remaining races of the season. The strong winds on the first
two days and overnight rain yesterday meant that we have had
to tailor the test programme to suit the conditions but we
have succeeded in completing our planned schedule. This includes
signing off the new engine step planned for the Japanese Grand
Prix, achieving well over the two race weekend mileage on
two engines and a comprehensive tyre programme for Brazil.
This week concludes our test programme for the 2006 season;
everyone involved both at the track and the factories in Brackley
and Tochigi has done a fantastic job this year in what has
been our most productive programme to date. This week also
marks our last test session in partnership with Michelin and
we would like to thank them for their support over the past
three seasons."
TEST STATS
Drivers Chassis Wednesday 20 September
Thursday 21 September Friday 22 September
Jenson Button RA106-06 -
112 laps Fastest lap 01:16.970 101 laps Fastest lap
01:17.280
Anthony Davidson RA106-06/02 120 laps Fastest lap
01:17.617 - 97
laps Fastest lap 01:17.123
James Rossiter RA106-02 119 laps Fastest lap
01:17.765 112 laps Fastest lap 01:17.825 -
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