BARCELONA, SPAIN
END OF TEST REPORT
The Honda Racing F1 Team concluded a three-day test at the
Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona today. Running with two
RA107 chassis for the first time, race drivers Jenson Button
and Rubens Barrichello conducted the majority of the test
programme, supported by Christian Klien.
Rubens and Christian began the test on Monday completing
early set-up runs to establish a good baseline for the cars.
Rubens then worked through general set-up items in the new
chassis over 27 laps, with Christian focusing on aerodynamic
evaluations and covering 51 laps.
Jenson joined the test on Tuesday to take over from Christian.
Along with Rubens, the pair spent the day focusing on chassis
set-up and aero evaluations, with Jenson completing 91 laps
and Rubens 87 laps.
The two race drivers continued their running on Wednesday.
Jenson completed 98 laps as he evaluated the set-up of the
car over longer tyre runs. An exhaust problem which damaged
the bodywork in Rubens' chassis brought his running to an
early conclusion after 39 laps.
The team's test programme will now move to Bahrain next week
for two final tests before the F1 season begin in Australia
on 18 March.
Jenson Button
"We spent a lot of time this week working on the set-up
and balance of the car. We have made some improvements and
I believe that we now have a much better understanding of
the car and aerodynamics. We still have a lot of work to do
before the first race and it will be important to make every
day count. I am confident that we can make the right steps
to put us in the position that we want to be in."
Rubens Barrichello
"It has been a mixed week for me as my first day was
affected by the rain and then we had the issue with the car
today so I haven't been able to cover the laps that we were
planning. However Jenson had a better time putting mileage
on the car so we could still progress. I am now looking forward
to the two weeks of testing in the hot weather of Bahrain
where we should get a better understanding of how we are progressing
compared to the competition."
Christian Klien
"It was good to be able to drive the new car this week.
Unfortunately the weather was not so kind on my day of running
with rain in the afternoon session but we were still able
to complete some good laps. We do have areas to improve upon
and I am sure that the new parts which we have coming will
help us to move further forward in Bahrain."
Jacky Eeckelaert - Engineering Director
"For the last European winter test this week, we had
two RA107 cars on hand. Additionally we had a number of new
parts to evaluate before we run our final package for the
first race of the season in Bahrain next week. Once again
we focused on finding a good balance over the longer runs,
particularly during the warmer conditions of the afternoon
session. Unfortunately Rubens was unable to complete his planned
race simulation this afternoon due to a broken exhaust, the
damage from which required a long repair."
TEST STATS (All timings are unofficial)
Drivers Chassis Tuesday 12 February
Wednesday 13 February Thursday 14 February
Jenson Button RA107-01 -
91 laps Fastest lap 01:22.816 98 laps Fastest lap 01:23.278
Rubens Barrichello RA107-02 27 laps Fastest lap 01:24.934
87 laps Fastest lap 01:22.669 39 laps Fastest lap 01:23.257
Christian Klien RA107-01 51 laps Fastest lap 01:24.227
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