JEREZ TESTING
END OF TEST REPORT
The Honda Racing F1 Team completed its final test of 2007
at the Jerez circuit in Spain today. The four-day test focused
on the continued evaluation of the 2008 electronics system
along with the opportunity to run the Bridgestone Potenza
'slick' tyres for 2009.
Jenson Button began the test on Tuesday to continue the team's
development work on the new electronics, which exclude traction
control and drivers aids, and were tested for the first time
at Barcelona in November. Jenson also completed an initial
evaluation with the slick tyres, setting his fastest lap of
the day whilst running on the slicks. He completed a total
of 70 laps.
Rubens Barrichello joined the team for the second and third
days of the test. On Wednesday, Rubens continued the programme
with further tuning of the electronics, alongside braking
systems development, and covered 103 laps. On Thursday, he
spent the morning on electronics work before running the slick
tyres in the afternoon, completing 89 laps in total.
The Honda engineers asked Anthony Davidson, a member of the
wider Honda family, to complete the test on Friday in order
to provide further perspective for the 2009 slick tyre evaluation.
Anthony completed 102 laps over the day.
Jenson Button
"The test in Jerez went well. I continued our work from
Barcelona last month concentrating on the evaluation of the
new electronics system which is compulsory for all teams next
year. There are no driver aids with this system, which means
no traction control and no engine braking control, and I thoroughly
enjoyed it. You have to be very smooth and progressive with
the throttle, which suits my driving style. I also had the
opportunity to run on the slick tyres and that was fun. It
was the first time that I have driven with slicks on an F1
car and I really enjoyed it. Obviously the downforce levels
in 2009 will be different but I had a good feeling from this
short trial."
Rubens Barrichello
"It was very nice to be back driving the car this week
for my first test since the last race of the season in Brazil.
I had two good days of running without traction control as
we worked on the development of the new electronics system
to prepare for next year's regulations. The only issue this
week was the number of circuit red flags which seemed to happen
whenever we tried to run on new tyres, so there was certainly
a better lap time possible. It was also good to be using slick
tyres once again this week."
Steve Clark - Head of Race & Test Engineering
"This week's test was our second session with the new
electronics system. Recent work on the engine dyno has rectified
the power delivery issues that we identified three weeks ago
in Barcelona and has seen us make good progress on the track.
This, and other work underway to adapt to the 2008 electronics
regulations, is useful preparation ahead of the debut of the
RA108 early next year and for this reason it has been a very
productive test. The major talking point of this week was
the opportunity to run the Bridgestone Potenza slick tyres
which will be introduced in 2009. Additionally these tyres
are planned for use without tyre blankets and a much reduced
aero package. The combination of cold tyres and low downforce
made for some pretty interesting out-laps for our drivers
but overall they enjoyed the experience. For engineers and
drivers alike, the return to racing on slicks is something
we are very much looking forward to."
TEST STATS (All timings are unofficial)
Drivers Tuesday 04 Dec Wednesday 05 Dec
Thursday 06 Dec Friday 07 Dec
Jenson Button 70 laps 01:19.155 -
- -
Rubens Barrichello - 103 laps
01:21.184 89 laps 01:19.905 -
Anthony Davidson - -
- 102 laps 01:20.821
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