2007 BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX FREE PRACTICE
Fernando Alonso MP4-22 0 1
Lewis Hamilton MP4-22 0 5
T-car (Fernando) MP4-22 0 3
Vodafone McLaren Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and Fernando
Alonso ended the second Free Practice for the Bahrain Grand
Prix in second and fifth places respectively. Lewis set a
time of 1:33.540 whilst Fernando did 1:33.784. The first 13
drivers were all within a little more than a second. In the
morning session, Lewis ended up third with 1:34.110 and Fernando
was fourth with 1:34.161. Lewis completed a total of 50 laps
during both sessions whilst Fernando did 45 laps.
Practice Session One:
Fernando: Lewis:
10.07: out / in 10.02: out / in
10.58: 7 laps, best 1:36.338 10.34: 6 laps, best 1:34.638
11.21: 7 laps, best 1:34.161 (4th) 11.01: 4 laps, best 1:37.551
11.22: 6 laps, best 1:34.110 (3rd)
Practice Session Two:
Fernando: Lewis:
14.05: 5 laps, best 1:34.211 14.05: 5 laps, best 1:34.413
14.27: 5 laps, best 1:34.211 14.25: 5 laps, best 1:34.460
14.49: 10 laps, best 1:33.784 (5th) 14.45: 11 laps, best 1:34.582
15.16: 10 laps, best 1:34.275 15.14: 12 laps, best 1:33.540
(2nd)
FAST FACTS
Does the sand in the desert cause any special concerns?
There was a lot of dirt and sand on the circuit during this
morning’s practice. Consequently the track conditions
are constantly evolving and will continue to do so during
the weekend with all the Formula 1 running and support races
taking place
Since the Malaysian Grand Prix last weekend has there
been an opportunity to make any additional improvements to
the MP4-22?
We have had a few revised parts coming from the McLaren Technology
Centre which we will be using on the cars this weekend. However
due to the limited time available the main focus in our development
work is on the test in Barcelona at the end of the month.
What was the focus of today’s programme?
We conducted tyre evaluation and general set-up work. However
the track conditions made things challenging.
Did the test at the Bahrain circuit prior to the
Australian Grand Prix give any advantage?
The MP4-22 has evolved since the test and as a result there
is no particular benefit which will allow us to minimise running
before qualifying. In addition the track conditions are constantly
changing so the team want as much running as possible.
FERNANDO ALONSO
"Two trouble-free practice sessions where we made positive
progress. The track was very dirty and continued to improve
throughout the session. We spent our time perfecting the set-up
and evaluating the tyres. I completed some long runs and all
in all I think we are closer to the Ferraris than we have
been so far this season on a Friday but it’s a long
weekend so we will see what happens."
LEWIS HAMILTON
"It has been a positive session today. In the first practice
the track was very dirty and slippery so there was no point
spending too much time looking at the set-up. In the 2nd session
we began our fine tuning and completed a couple of long runs.
I think I was quicker and more consistent than previously
in the long runs which is positive and there is definitely
more to come. We now have quite a bit of data to look at but
so far so good."
RON DENNIS
"A positive start with two trouble free sessions. We
struggled slightly with the track conditions in the first
session where it was extremely slippery, but managed to complete
our programme. Our pace in the long runs is encouraging so
we will see what the rest of the weekend brings."
NORBERT HAUG
"An interesting Friday practice which saw the top-five
in the second session finish within a quarter of a second.
Lewis and Fernando each completed 50 and 45 laps respectively."
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