PAUL RICARD 18 MAY
END OF TEST REPORT
The Honda Racing F1 Team completed a four-day test at the
Paul Ricard circuit in the south of France today in preparation
for the next three Formula One races on the calendar, the
Monaco, Canadian and United States Grands Prix. Race drivers
Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello, supported by third driver
Christian Klien, participated in the programme this week.
Christian began the test on Tuesday with the circuit in a
short configuration representative of the Monaco street circuit.
He focused on a series of evaluations with the latest aero
configurations for the RA107 car, although the blustery conditions
around the circuit made the collection of consistent data
difficult. Christian completed 115 laps over the day.
Rubens joined the team on Wednesday to continue the aero
programme, alongside a tyre evaluation with the Bridgestone
options for Monaco, covering 103 laps. He continued his running
on Thursday morning in order to experience the circuit in
the longer Montreal configuration. Rubens spent his early
runs finding a good balance before completing further aero
work over 71 laps.
Christian took over the car for the afternoon and initially
worked to find a good set-up on the new track configuration.
Unfortunately early in his planned tyre programme, the car
suffered an engine failure bringing his running to an early
conclusion after 25 laps.
Jenson joined the test for the final day with the track remaining
in the Montreal configuration. His early runs were spent acclimatising
to the circuit before completing the aero programme. A further
engine failure late in the day curtailed his running after
100 laps.
Rubens Barrichello
"It has been good to come back to Paul Ricard this week
as I have not driven here since an Opel Lotus race in 1990
and then one F1 test on the old circuit back in 1992. So the
first day for me was about learning the circuit and then again
on Wednesday when the configuration changed. It has been a
good test where we have definitely made some progress, especially
on the aero side. We are slowly addressing our problems and
I am hopeful of an improved performance over the next three
races."
Jenson Button
"It was a reasonable day today and useful for me to experience
the car on the Montreal configured circuit. Rubens and Christian
had a busy week covering the work for Monaco so we should
be well prepared going into the next few races. We will have
to wait and see performance-wise, but I am particularly looking
forward to Monaco next weekend as it is one of my home races."
Christian Klien
"The first day of the test this week was positive. We
focused mainly on aero work and covered a good number of laps.
The whole team is working really hard and everything that
we tried showed a small improvement, so it is encouraging
to know that we are going in the right direction. I only completed
a few laps on Thursday but Rubens and Jenson had plenty of
time on the Montreal layout."
Jacky Eeckelaert - Engineering Director
"The team completed a four-day test this week with our
drivers on duty. Rubens and Christian spent the first three
days looking at the new aero options for Monaco and Canada,
sharing the test programme on the different circuit configurations.
Jenson drove today and focused on the aero options for Montreal
and Indianapolis. All in all, we can say that we have made
some progress and another small step in the right direction.
The car was more competitive during the long runs and the
pace has increased. So we can now look forward to the challenge
and excitement of racing in Monaco and hope to see an improvement."
TEST STATS (All timings are unofficial)
Drivers Tuesday 15 May Wednesday 16 May
Thursday 17 May Friday 18 May
Jenson Button - -
- 100 laps 01:29.989
Rubens Barrichello - 103 laps 01:06.516
71 laps 01:30.108 -
Christian Klien 115 laps 01:07.357 -
25 laps 01:30.235 -
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