JEREZ, SPAIN 08 FEBRUARY
END OF TEST REPORT
The Honda Racing F1 Team today completed a three-day test
at the Jerez circuit in southern Spain. Whilst Jenson Button
and Rubens Barrichello concentrated on the continued development
of the new RA107 car, Christian Klien rounded off the test
programme for last year's RA106.
Jenson began the test with the RA107 on Tuesday, spending
his early laps finding a good balance on the car before working
through tyre and aero evaluations over the course of the day,
completing 99 laps. He continued his aero programme on Wednesday,
covering a further 95 laps.
Rubens took over in the RA107 on Thursday as wet and windy
weather hit the circuit. He spent the day working on the balance
and set-up of the new chassis in the changing track conditions,
using the wet and extreme wet Bridgestone Potenza tyres. Rubens
completed 66 laps in total.
Christian Klien ran in the RA106 on Tuesday completing electronic
controls work and race start simulations over 33 laps.
IndyCar Series driver Marco Andretti also joined the team
in Jerez this week for his second opportunity to drive the
RA106. Marco began his programme on Wednesday and spent the
morning re-acclimatising himself to the car, before completing
data gathering exercises and race start simulations in the
afternoon, covering 74 laps. With the poor weather on Thursday,
Marco had his first chance to experience an F1 car in wet
conditions, covering 63 laps.
Jenson Button
"It was another busy week for us as we continue to put
mileage on the new car and evaluate the set-up to find the
best package for the varying conditions. Once again the car
was reliable, enabling us to cover a good number of laps on
each day."
Rubens Barrichello
"It was a positive day today although the weather meant
that our programme had to be changed from the original plan.
Still it was good to get some further experience on the Bridgestone
wet tyres. We have a lot of work to do but with the developments
that we have coming on the car, I am happy that we can continue
to make good progress."
Christian Klien
"We were able to complete the test programme for the
2006 car this week which was very satisfying. Now I'm looking
forward to having my chance to drive the RA107 in Barcelona
next week and to begin to contribute to its development."
Marco Andretti
"It's been awesome to have the chance to get back in
a F1 car this week and I would really like to thank the Honda
team for giving me this second opportunity. I have really
enjoyed my two days here, and by the end of the second day
with the wet conditions, I feel that I've really adapted to
the way that the car has to be driven. So the weather was
actually quite useful for me and I've now experienced a little
bit of everything in only three days. I was happy with my
long run pace over the test but the one lap times are something
that I am sure would come with further time in the car."
Jacky Eeckelaert - Engineering Director
"The main focus for the RA107 with Jenson and Rubens
this week was to develop the race set-up of the car to achieve
consistent lap times on longer runs. Over the course of the
three days we had the opportunity to evaluate many changes
in the aerodynamic configuration and mechanical set-up of
the car, as well as with the electronic systems. With Christian
at the wheel of the RA106, we also concluded the transition
from last year's car to fully focus on the RA107."
It has been a pleasure to have Marco Andretti with us this
week and to give him a further opportunity in the 2006 car.
Once again Marco has shown a high level of ability, given
his relative inexperience, and his long run pace in particular
was quite impressive. With the poor weather conditions today,
Marco drove for the first time in the wet and adapted very
well to the difficult track conditions without making any
mistakes."
TEST STATS (All timings are unofficial)
Drivers Chassis Tuesday 06 February
Wednesday 07 February Thursday 08 February
Jenson Button RA107 99 laps Fastest lap 01:20.362 95 laps
Fastest lap 01:20.746 -
Rubens Barrichello RA107 -
- 66 laps Fastest lap
01:30.687
Christian Klien RA106 33 laps Fastest lap 01:22.078 -
-
Marco Andretti RA106 -
74 laps Fastest lap 01:22.147 63 laps Fastest lap 01:32.397
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