CHINESE GRAND PRIX FRIDAY
Team McLaren Mercedes drivers Pedro de la Rosa and Kimi Raikkonen
finished today's second practice session in 12th and 21st
positions respectively after setting times of 1m38.022 and
1m39.179. It started to rain slightly halfway through the
second session. In the opening practice Pedro didn't take
to the track whilst Kimi spun during his one scheduled run.
In total Pedro completed nine laps and Kimi eight. As usual
on a Friday both drivers focused on Michelin tyre choice and
initial set-up work.
Practice Session One:
Kimi: Pedro:
11.13: out/in No laps
11.55: 3 laps, best 1:45.890 (spin)
Practice Session Two:
Kimi Pedro:
14.45: 4 laps, best 1:39.179 14.00: out / in
14.30: 4 laps, best 1:38.258
14.48: 4 laps, best 1:38.022
KIMI RAIKKONEN
"A quiet start to practice today. The rain halfway through
the second session did affect our programme slightly as we
planned to run towards the end of that practice. However we
obtained some initial useful data and will continue our work
in tomorrow's practice after which we have to make our Michelin
tyre choice. I had a small spin on my first run in the morning's
session, but these things happen - it was just a bit slippery.
"
PEDRO DE LA ROSA
"We went through our programme with the Michelin tyres
to gain some data to help us make the correct tyre choice.
We decided to postpone our running until the second session,
which was then affected a little bit by the rain which made
it more challenging to evaluate the data. However we are confident
that we will make the right tyre choice for the rest of the
weekend. I like this track which I know from being the third
driver on Fridays last year, and I look forward to the rest
of the Chinese Grand Prix weekend."
RON DENNIS
"We intended to do the minimum amount of running as usual
on a Friday to conserve our engines and the Michelin tyres.
We waited a little too long for the track surface to clean
up, which resulted in both drivers being hampered by the damp
track conditions caused by a sprinkle of rain. However, we
experienced no problems and will continue our work in tomorrow's
practice session."
NORBERT HAUG
"Although today's ranking doesn't show it, we think that
our basis is OK. We focused on race set-up work and our Michelin
tyre evaluation programme, which was slightly hampered by
the changing track conditions due to light drizzle in the
second session."
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