2007 BRAZILIAN GRAND PRIX
FREE PRACTICE
The thrilling finale to the Formula One season got underway
in Sao Paulo today with the first two practice sessions for
Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix. The first 1.5-hour practice
session was wet, giving Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello
only this afternoon's running in which to hone the dry set-ups
of their RA107s.
After completing their installation laps at the beginning
of session one, Jenson and Rubens sat out the next 30 minutes
hoping that a dry line would appear. The rain didn't ease
however and the drivers ventured out on the Bridgestone Potenza
wet tyre. Rubens and Jenson were evenly matched and set fastest
laps within 0.1s of each other. They ended the session with
Rubens in 11th place and Jenson in 12th place.
The track was still wet at the start of session two, but
a dry line subsequently appeared which allowed the drivers
to use dry tyres for the first time. They completed 89 laps
between them and completed their tyre comparisons of Bridgestone's
soft and super-soft compounds. Rubens' fastest lap of 1:13.892
placed him 13th overall, whilst Jenson ended the day just
behind in 14th position.
RUBENS BARRICHELLO
"We have had two good practice sessions today despite
changing track conditions and we were able to work on improving
the car in the wet and dry. On my last run this afternoon,
I got caught in traffic which was unfortunate as I felt that
I could have achieved a little more from the car. Overall
we have made a positive start which gives me reason to be
optimistic for the rest of the weekend. With regard to the
new asphalt at Interlagos, it is much improved and less bumpy
than before."
JENSON BUTTON
"With a wet session this morning and a drying track this
afternoon, we had to work through various different set-ups
today. I struggled with a lack of grip in the second session
and the tyres were also graining, so we still have some work
to do to find the optimum dry set-up and improve the balance
of the car. We were able to achieve a good number of laps
though so we have plenty of data to work with."
JACKY EECKELAERT
Engineering Director
"The first session this morning was wet throughout which
allowed us to work on car balance in those conditions. Both
drivers reported that the new track surface was definitely
less bumpy than in the past. The second session began on a
damp track but very soon we could switch to the dry tyres
and begin our set-up work. As expected we experienced some
graining with the option tyre, while the prime tyre was very
consistent. If the conditions stay dry for the remainder of
the weekend we expect the track to rubber-in, making life
easier with the option tyre."
FREE PRACTICE STATS
Drivers Car No. Chassis No. Free Practice 1 Free Practice
2
Rubens Barrichello 8 RA107-02 23 laps 01:22.434 P11 45 laps
01:13.892 P13
Jenson Button 7 RA107-04 22 laps 01:22.477 P12 44 laps 01:14.095
P14
Weather Overcast and wet
Temperatures Air: 18-20°C Track: 23-26°C
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