TEST REPORT - PAUL RICARD - DAY ONE
Location: Paul Ricard HTTT, Le Castellet, France
Drivers: Pedro de la Rosa and Gary Paffett
Weather: Intermittent rain all day
Track temperature – high of 16.4 degrees Celsius
Air temperature – high of 13.1 degrees Celsius
Laps run: 155
Kilometres covered: Pedro de la Rosa approx. 637km
Best lap time of the day: Pedro de la Rosa, 1m14.264
Duration of test: Four days (21st – 24th March)
The Team McLaren Mercedes test team returned to track duties
today at the Paul Ricard High Tech Test Track in the south
of France, following a three week break due to the Bahrain
and Malaysian Grands Prix. However the session was affected
by wet weather conditions, with heavy rain overnight and drizzle
during the day, making track conditions difficult.
Pedro de la Rosa was at the wheel of chassis four of MP4-21,
with the planned programme for the week to shakedown the new
car. The Spaniard ventured out of the garage on a couple of
occasions during the morning, which allowed the test team
to complete some initial systems checks. The afternoon saw
Pedro, who was running on intermediate Michelins, complete
more significant running on track, which was in the 2E-SC
configuration at 4.11km in length, taking his total for the
day to 637km over 155 laps.
Gary Paffett was scheduled to drive an interim MP4-20 today,
with his focus on Michelin tyre selection for Australia and
San Marino. However with the wet track conditions, the team
would not have obtained any useful data from tyre testing
so Gary did not complete any running.
Testing is due to continue for the team at Paul Ricard until
Friday, with Pedro and Gary present for the week. Team McLaren
Mercedes will be joined on track by Renault, Toyota and BMW-Sauber
from tomorrow.
Unofficial times*:
Pos Driver Constructor Time Laps
1 Pedro de la Rosa Team McLaren Mercedes 1m14.264 155
*no official times available
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