MCLAREN TEST REPORT BARCELONA - DAY ONE
Date: Monday 23rd January 2006
Location: Circuit de Catalunya, Spain
Drivers: Pedro de la Rosa and Gary Paffett
Weather: Cold but sunny
Track temperature – high of 17.5 degrees Celsius
Air temperature – high of 20.9 degrees Celsius
Laps run: 95
Kilometres covered: Pedro de la Rosa approx. 90km
Gary Paffett approx. 360km
Best lap time of the day: Jacques Villeneuve, BMW Sauber,
1m17.240
Duration of test: Five days (23rd – 27th January)
Team McLaren Mercedes conducted the first shakedown of its
2006 car, the MP4-21, at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona
today. Pedro de la Rosa drove the new car, completing 19 laps
of the Spanish circuit and covering 90kms in total. The MP4-21
was not meant to make its track debut until tomorrow (Tuesday)
but the team decided to undertake a short shakedown today.
Work for Pedro and the test team focused on initial systems
checks with MP4-21, which started the day's session at 09:15
local time. Pedro completed four single laps during the early
part of the day, with the team running checks between each
outing. Shortly after midday, Pedro completed one longer run
of seven laps, which was followed by another of six. During
the latter run, the Spaniard stopped on track as his MP4-21
had sustained a problem with the oil pressure. The team decided
to undertake a full check-up following its initial shakedown
and as a result the MP4-21 stayed in the garage for most of
the afternoon. However early evening Pedro was able to take
the MP4-21 for another run.
The planned programme with MP4-21 will continue for the duration
of this week’s test in Barcelona, with Juan Pablo Montoya
at the wheel tomorrow and Wednesday, and Kimi taking over
for Thursday and Friday.
Gary Paffett was also in attendance at Barcelona today, running
alongside Pedro in the interim MP4-20. Gary, who set the second
fastest time, completed 76 laps and a total of 360kms with
work continuing to focus on Michelin tyre development.
PEDRO DE LA ROSA
"Today’s first test session with the MP4-21 has
provided us with some useful feedback. Unfortunately we had
a problem with the oil pressure, which was why I stopped out
on track shortly before lunchtime. However this is why we
test, to work out any such problems and I think that considering
it was a shakedown everything went well."
MARTIN WHITMARSH, CEO FORMULA ONE, TEAM McLAREN MERCEDES
"The shakedown of the MP4-21 at the Circuit de Catalunya
today went well. Initially the track was cold and therefore
had a lack of grip, however as it warmed up we were able to
start proving the various systems. We have already started
to receive meaningful technical feedback, and are now looking
forward to continuing the development programme over the next
few days. We had the issue with oil pressure before lunch
with Pedro, and decided to give the car a thorough check and
as a result finished running just before lunch. However both
Pedro and the team have been able to gain an indication of
the performance and potential of our package.”
NORBERT HAUG, VICE PRESIDENT, MERCEDES-BENZ MOTORSPORT
"Those were some promising first laps today, and I would
like to say thank you to everybody in the team for making
this possible on schedule. However the rest of the week will
see an intensive programme and will give us first indications
of where we are compared to the other teams testing here."
Unofficial times*:
Pos Driver Constructor Time Laps
1 Jacques Villeneuve BMW Sauber 1m17.240 85
2 Gary Paffett Team McLaren Mercedes – V10 1m18.066
76
3 Pedro de la Rosa Team McLaren Mercedes 1m18.252 19
4 Nick Heidfeld BMW Sauber 1m18.469 82
*no official times available
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