BARCELONA END OF TEST REPORT
Following the launch of the new RA108 at the Honda Racing
F1 Team's Brackley headquarters earlier this week, the team
embarked on a three-day test programme at the Circuit de Catalunya
in Barcelona.
Chassis RA108-01 was the focus of an initial shakedown in
Valencia last week in a pre-launch specification, but this
week marked the first intensive test programme with the first
two chassis, for which race drivers Rubens Barrichello and
Jenson Button were joined by test and reserve driver Alex
Wurz.
Rubens began the test on Friday with some early acclimatisation
runs in the RA108-01 before working through various set-up
changes over the course of the day. He completed 55 laps.
After driving the new car for just a few yards at the launch
event on Tuesday, Alex then gained his first real experience
of the RA108 in chassis 02, conducting an initial shakedown
programme over 26 laps.
Jenson joined the test on day two when the team concentrated
on a one-car programme whilst awaiting the arrival of further
development parts for chassis RA108-01. He completed a total
of 56 laps after a productive day's running, working through
set-up options to develop the balance of the car.
Rubens and Jenson worked side by side for the third and final
day of running today, once again focusing on chassis set-up
options. A mid-afternoon downpour cut short their dry running
programmes, however the wet conditions enabled the team to
gather some useful data as both drivers ran the car for the
first time in cold and damp conditions without traction control.
Rubens completed a total of 84 laps whilst Jenson covered
86 laps.
The team's pre-season testing programme will now move to
Jerez on 12-13-14 February.
Jenson Button
"I am pleased with the reliability of the car. Generally,
we have made some progress this week but there is still a
lot of work to be done in the forthcoming tests. The car is
completely new which means we are starting from zero in terms
of developing the set-up. We are also experiencing some drivability
issues as we work with the new ECU. The weather conditions
today meant that I was able to get my first wet running in
without traction control, which was good. On to Jerez next
as we continue to keep pushing forward with developing the
car."
Rubens Barrichello
"It was good to run in the car at its first proper test
since the launch. There is plenty of potential in terms of
working on the speed of the car in the coming tests and this
will come as we continue to make progress with the set-up.
At this stage I am happy that reliability is certainly on
our side. "
Alex Wurz
"It was good to finally experience the new car for the
first time, apart from a few short yards at the launch of
course. I conducted a shakedown of the latest chassis 02 and
some aero testing. The car felt good although there are a
few adjustments to be made to my seat and positioning in order
to hit the ground running at my next test. I am enjoying getting
to know the team and how they work, so I am looking forward
to making the maximum contribution to the RA108 development
programme over the coming weeks."
Steve Clark - Head of Race & Test Engineering
"At our first proper test with the RA108 and with the
benefit of two chassis, our focus has been on basic set-up
work and reliability testing. We still have a lot of work
to do on developing the set-up as the RA108 is so different
aerodynamically to its predecessor that it is going to take
some time over the next few tests to optimise the chassis
settings. We are also still working to adapt to the new ECU
and this has proved particularly difficult in the low-grip
conditions we have experienced. These challenges have been
reflected in our speed here, especially on single fast laps,
although our long run consistency is a little better. Generally,
the work we have achieved gives us a good basis for the next
test in Jerez, where we will aim to further develop the car."
TEST STATS (All timings are unofficial)
Drivers Friday 01 Feb Saturday 02 Feb Sunday
03 Feb
Rubens Barrichello 55 laps 01:24.125 -
84 laps 01:23.795
Jenson Button - 58 laps
01:23.959 86 laps 01:23.808
Alex Wurz 26 laps 01:26.975 -
|
