TESTING SPA
END OF TEST REPORT
The Honda Racing F1 Team completed a three-day test at the
Spa Francorchamps circuit in the Ardennes region of Belgium
today. The main focus for the test programme this week was
to gather chassis set-up data and evaluate the tyres in preparation
for the Belgian Grand Prix which returns to the Formula One
calendar in September of this year.
Reserve and Test Driver Christian Klien began the test on
Tuesday. Christian spent the morning establishing the baseline
set-up of the RA107 car on the damp and green circuit before
working through a series of aerodynamic evaluations once the
track had completely dried out. Christian ended the day with
race start simulations and completed a total of 63 laps.
Jenson Button joined the team in Spa on Wednesday. The track
was still wet for the start of the morning session as a result
of overnight rain allowing Jenson to complete a short evaluation
on the Bridgestone wet tyres. By mid morning, the track dried
out sufficiently to switch to dry tyres and Jenson worked
through an aero programme alongside chassis set-up work. The
changeable Spa weather hit once again in the afternoon as
the rain came down to limit the amount of dry running possible.
Jenson completed 53 laps over the day.
Rubens Barrichello took over the car for the final day of
testing. Further overnight rain limited dry running in the
morning although the weather did stay dry for most of the
day. Rubens worked through an aero evaluation alongside running
the two tyre specifications provided by Bridgestone for this
event. He finished the day with race start simulations completing
78 laps in total.
Jenson Button
"The weather was very changeable for my day in the car
with the track conditions going from wet to dry and wet again.
However that is actually quite useful preparation for the
race here in September as the weather is always so unpredictable.
We therefore concentrated on tyre testing to understand how
the tyres operate in the different conditions."
Rubens Barrichello
"We were able to complete a good number of laps today
as the weather stayed fairly dry and this has provided some
useful data on the new aero parts that we ran this week. I
had some difficulties with the set-up of the car and the balance
is not yet where I would like it to be, however it was a useful
test to see how we need to prepare for the race at this circuit."
Christian Klien
"Spa is one of the most exciting tracks on the Formula
One calendar for a driver so I really enjoyed testing here
this week. We focused mainly on aerodynamic evaluations during
my day in the car on Tuesday. The track was a little damp
at the start of the day but luckily the weather stayed dry
which enabled us to get through the planned programme."
Jacky Eeckelaert - Engineering Director
"With the return of the Belgian Grand Prix to the calendar
this year, we will be racing at the Spa Francorchamps circuit
with V8 engines and Bridgestone tyres for the first time.
Therefore the first part of our test programme this week was
dedicated to finding a good set-up for the RA107 car around
this particular track. The second part of the programme was
the evaluation of different aerodynamic parts in preparation
for the forthcoming European races. The changeable weather
conditions have made it more difficult to complete our planned
programme, although the weather has affected all of the teams
and you have to expect such conditions at Spa. Nevertheless
we have the data now and plenty of time to analyse it in advance
of the race in September."
TEST STATS (All timings are unofficial)
Drivers Tuesday 10 July Wednesday 11 July
Thursday 12 July
Jenson Button - 53 laps
01:49.526 -
Rubens Barrichello - -
78 laps 01:48.704
Christian Klien 63 laps 01:49.419 -
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