MONZA - END OF TEST REPORT
The Honda Racing F1 Team completed a four-day test at the
Monza circuit in northern Italy today in preparation for the
Italian Grand Prix at the historic racing venue next weekend.
This week's programme concentrated on establishing a good
set-up for the RA107 car around the unique high-speed and
low-downforce track, through the evaluation of various aerodynamic,
tyre and chassis set-up options.
Rubens Barrichello began the test programme on Tuesday focusing
on the set-up of the car, alongside working through aerodynamic
and suspension evaluations. Rubens' running was briefly interrupted
by a late afternoon rain shower, although he was able to complete
a good number of laps over the day, 85 in total.
Christian Klien took over the driving responsibilities on
Wednesday. He began the day with a series of set-up runs,
before continuing the aero and suspension work from the previous
day. Christian spent the afternoon concentrating on a tyre
evaluation with the two Bridgestone compounds over longer
runs, completing 92 laps.
Jenson Button joined the team in Monza on Thursday. Unfortunately
the weather conditions had deteriorated overnight with heavy
thunderstorms hitting the region. The levels of standing water
on the track limited Jenson to one early installation lap
before he returned to the garage. The circuit re-opened in
the early afternoon enabling Jenson to go out on the wet tyres
and complete some initial set-up work before running through
a dry tyre evaluation as soon as the conditions allowed. Jenson
covered 60 laps in total.
Due to the conditions on Wednesday, the team decided to take
up the option of remaining in Monza for a further day of testing
on Thursday. The weather continued to be unfavourable in the
morning with Jenson completing only two runs in wet conditions.
The afternoon proved more settled and enabled the team to
continue the planned programme with Jenson working on general
car set-up, alongside further work on the aero and suspension
required for next weekend's race, covering 61 laps.
Rubens Barrichello
"I had a good day in the car on Tuesday and in fact it
was better than I expected. I was not hoping for too much
from the car coming here but at the end of the day, I felt
happy as the car seems to be reacting well to the track despite
the aero issues that we have at the moment. We focused mainly
on the set-up for the race and set some reasonable times which
is encouraging. Combined with the car feeling better, I am
reasonably happy and looking forward to racing at one of my
favourite circuits next weekend."
Christian Klien
"We were very pleased to get through our planned programme
on Wednesday covering 92 laps. I evaluated new suspension
parts which made the behaviour of the car better so that was
positive. We spent the afternoon session on tyre evaluation
of the hard and soft Bridgestone compounds for the race next
weekend. They have changed the second chicane here to improve
the run-off areas which is a good improvement as it feels
safer for the drivers."
Jenson Button
"The testing that we were able to achieve this week was
positive and we made the most of the available track time,
despite the really poor weather conditions. The main focus
was preparing the set-up of the car ahead of the race. We
ran the Monza aero package with new front and rear wings which
worked pretty much as expected, along with revised suspension
components required for the unique demands of this circuit.
I also did a few laps without traction control ahead of the
new regulations for next year. It was good fun to feel that
you are properly in control of the car again and I'm looking
forward to next year when we race without it."
Jacky Eeckelaert - Engineering Director
"The test programme in Monza this week focused on preparation
for the Italian Grand Prix here next weekend. The Monza track
sees the highest top speeds of the season and therefore we
ran a new front and rear wing specifically designed for the
low drag configuration required. The drivers also worked on
the set-up of the car and finding a good balance on the low
downforce levels with the prime and the option tyre compounds
provided for this event by Bridgestone. In addition to the
aero, we had further new developments to evaluate including
modifications to the front and rear suspension to improve
the braking stability which is one of the prime factors for
getting a good lap here. The drivers found a positive effect
from these developments so they will be raced next weekend."
TEST STATS (All timings are unofficial)
Drivers Tuesday 28 August Wednesday 29 August
Thursday 30 August Friday 31 August
Rubens Barrichello 85 laps 01:25.377 -
- -
Christian Klien - 92 laps 01:24.595
- -
Jenson Button - -
60 laps 01:24.918 61 laps 01:24.537
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