2008 AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX, MELBOURNE
FREE PRACTICE
The 2008 season got underway in Melbourne today with the
first two practice sessions for this weekend's curtain-raiser,
the Australian Grand Prix. Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello
were upbeat after concluding a solid day of set-up work to
fine-tune the RA108 to the demands of the Albert Park circuit
conditions. The ambient temperature soared to 37°C with
the track peaking at 48°C, the high temperatures giving
the RA108 its first hot weather test of the year which it
passed with flying colours. Jenson and Rubens ended the day
in 11th and 14th positions.
RESULTS
Drivers Car No. Chassis No. Free Practice 1 Free Practice
2
Jenson Button 16 RA108-02 25 laps 01:29.124 P11 30 laps 01:28.632
P11
Rubens Barrichello 17 RA108-04 17 laps 01:29.533 P15 28 laps
01:28.849 P14
Weather Unexpectedly hot weather, sunny but windy
Temperatures Air: 31-37°C Track: 34-48°C
JENSON BUTTON
Q. How is the RA108 performing so far?
A. "Today has been a good day for us. We focused mainly
on tyre work and getting the best out of the car in the very
hot conditions. Everything went smoothly and the car feels
much as it did at the Jerez test, which is pleasing. We won't
know our true relative position compared to the competition
until later tomorrow, but at the moment the priority for us
is focusing on our own test items and adapting the set-up
to the requirements and conditions here."
Q. How does Albert Park compare to the circuits you've
been testing at during the winter?
A. "It's very different to the Spanish circuits we have
been using during the pre-season testing so we are starting
from scratch in terms of setting the car up to suit these
track conditions, particularly as Albert Park is much bumpier
than the test circuits."
RUBENS BARRICHELLO
Q.How did the track conditions improve during the
course of the two sessions?
A. "It's very hot and dry today, with the temperatures
increasing this afternoon, so the track has lost some grip
over the course of the day. The track was better in the morning
session and I was much happier with the car then."
Q. Looking ahead to tomorrow, how do you think the
car will perform over a single qualifying lap?
A. "It is still too early to tell how we will perform
in qualifying tomorrow. We ran a fairly conservative programme
today and we are looking better than in testing, but Friday
is not a real indicator of performance as everyone is running
their own programme with regard to fuel levels. We aim to
be in the middle of the pack tomorrow and I believe we are
on course for this."
STEVE CLARK
Head of Race & Test Engineering
Q.Did the opening practice sessions of the new season
run smoothly?
A. "Yes. The sessions ran pretty much according to plan
for us despite the difficult track and climatic conditions.
As is usual, the first day at a race event unearthed some
issues that we have not experienced during the winter testing,
but nothing we cannot address over the next couple of days."
Q. What are the early indications for the rest of
the weekend?
A. "Our absolute performance relative to our competitors
remains to be confirmed, however the aero upgrade for this
race seems to be performing well and it has put us on the
pace of all but the top two teams. Tomorrow will be the true
test, and a real challenge for the majority of the grid. We
are quietly confident that if we make no mistakes we could
put the car in the top half of the grid. The very hot weather
this weekend is unexpected, but again we can deal with it
and should be able to compete reliably with only a small compromise
to overall performance."
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