2007 TURKISH GRAND PRIX ISTANBUL 24 AUGUST
FREE PRACTICE
Free practice for this weekend's Turkish Grand Prix got underway
in the searing heat of Istanbul Park today where the air temperature
soared to a high of 36 degrees. This morning, the Honda Racing
F1 Team spent the session setting-up the car to suit the fast,
flowing characteristics of this anti-clockwise circuit. Jenson
Button and Rubens Barrichello ended the session 14th and 15th
respectively.
This afternoon, Rubens' left rear tyre struck a loose drainage
cover from the kerb at turn 10, which damaged the wheel and
tyre and may have caused further underlying damage to the
car. The session was red-flagged briefly whilst the cover
was replaced. Jenson and Rubens also ended the second session
in 14th and 15th positions.
JENSON BUTTON
"Finally, at the end of the session, we seemed to find
a reasonable set-up, which is something we had been struggling
with throughout the day. I'm much happier with the car now.
This morning I didn't get a good run on either tyre. We did
some laps on the option at the end of the day and that seemed
to be reasonably consistent. We've made good progress over
the two sessions and it seems we are getting there."
RUBENS BARRICHELLO
"The day had been progressing quite well, up to the point
where I hit the drain cover. We checked the car and it seemed
there was no obvious problem beyond the punctured tyre and
damaged wheel, but when running resumed the car didn't feel
very good at all. We need to check everything carefully to
ensure there is no underlying damage because things were going
reasonably well before that and I hope we can get back to
how the car felt earlier in the day."
JACKY EECKELAERT
Engineering Director
"We have had a relatively straightforward Friday. By
the end of the session both drivers found a consistent balance
on both hard and medium tyres. The only small problem came
when Rubens hit a drain cover which had lifted and was lying
on the track. This destroyed the rear left rim and tyre. After
that the car balance was not the same, so we have to check
the car thoroughly overnight. For tomorrow we will try to
reduce the understeer without compromising the traction."
FREE PRACTICE STATS
Drivers Car No. Chassis No. Free Practice 1 Free Practice
2
Jenson Button 7 RA107-04 17 laps 01:30.483 P14 26 laps 01:29.945
P14
Rubens Barrichello 8 RA107-05 25 laps 01:30.580 P15 31 laps
01:30.055 P15
Weather Hot and dry
Temperatures Air: 30-36°C Track: 33-55°C
|
