END OF TEST REPORT JEREZ
The Honda Racing F1 Team continued its intensive pre-season
testing programme in Spain this week with the track activity
moving to Jerez. Race drivers Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello,
along with Test and Reserve Driver Alex Wurz, were in action
this week as the evaluation and development of the new RA108
race car continued.
The test programme began on Tuesday with Rubens and Alex
at the wheel. Rubens focused on general set-up evaluation
alongside race start work, covering 75 laps. On his second
full test day in the new car, Alex worked through a driveability
programme completing 86 laps.
Rubens continued his running on Wednesday with chassis set-up
work and a continuation of the race start programme covering
58 laps. Jenson joined the team to take over the second RA108
and ran through a series of aero evaluations alongside further
set-up work over 85 laps.
The final day of the test on Thursday saw Alex back in the
car alongside Jenson. Both drivers completed full race distance
simulations with live pit stops in the morning session, before
continuing set-up work in the afternoon. Alex completed 103
laps with Jenson totalling 121 laps.
Jenson Button
"We have made good progress this week in understanding
the car, addressing the issues that we experienced at the
last test and getting the car balanced for long runs. There
is a great deal of work to do over the two remaining tests
before we head to Melbourne, but I am now happier in the car
and have more confidence to push it to the limit."
Rubens Barrichello
"We made some good steps with the driveability this week
which have given me more confidence getting on the power.
The car balance has improved with progress on the ride and
suspension, and I'm feeling comfortable in the car and happier
with my driving position. We have some hard work ahead of
us but I am looking forward to the new updates which will
specifically target the areas that we have been working on
over the last couple of tests."
Alex Wurz
"We spent the test this week working on reliability runs
and engine driveability and I am very pleased that we have
found some improvements. We also completed a full race simulation
today which went very well."
Steve Clark - Head of Race & Test Engineering
"After this week's test in Jerez, we now have a full
understanding of the issues which have been affecting the
handling of the car. The new components to address these issues
will be ready in time for our next test in Barcelona. With
this in mind, the focus this week was to sign off the race
distance reliability of the car with Jenson and Alex completing
full race distances today. We also made steady progress with
improving the engine driveability and chassis controls which
will give us a good starting point for the next test when
we will be in a position to implement the new updates."
TEST STATS (All timings are unofficial)
Drivers Tuesday 12 February Wednesday 13 February
Thursday 14 February
Jenson Button - 85 laps
01:21.147 121 laps 01:20.988
Rubens Barrichello 75 laps 01:21.133 58 laps 01:21.710
-
Alex Wurz 86 laps 01:21.950 -
103 laps 01:21.605
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