2007 JAPANESE GRAND PRIX FREE PRACTICE
Vodafone McLaren Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and Fernando
Alonso emerged fastest from today’s second practice
session at the Fuji International Speedway. Lewis set a time
of 1m18.734 and completed 37 laps whilst Fernando did 1m18.948
and did 34 laps. In the first practice session Fernando was
3rd and Lewis was 4th with times of 1m19.667 and 1m19.807
and 27 and 24 laps respectively.
Practice Session One:
Fernando: Lewis:
10.00: out / in 10.00: out / in
10.23: 5 laps, best 1:20.659 10.21: 6 laps, best 1:19.976
10.41: 6 laps, best 1:20.124 10.44: 7 laps, best 1:20.042
10.58: 7 laps, best 1:19.996 11.04: 3 laps best 1:22.202
11.21: 8 laps, best 1:19.667 (3rd) 11.21: 7 laps, best 1:19.807
(4th)
Practice Session Two:
Fernando: Lewis:
14.00: 5 laps, best 1:20.124 14.00: 6 laps, best 1:19.978
14.19: 4 laps, best 1:19.401 14.17: 4 laps, best 1:19.198
14.34: 4 laps, best 1:18.948 (2nd) 14.32: 3 laps, best 1:18.734
(1st)
14.54: 10 laps, best 1:20.280 14.48: 12 laps, best 1:20.043
15.16: 10 laps, best 1:19.741 15.14: 12 laps, best 1:19.732
LEWIS HAMILTON
“It’s obviously always a challenge to get to know
a new track, but I have tried that three times this year already.
The engineers and I walked the circuit yesterday, and I was
really looking forward to getting in the car this morning.
I stayed on the same set of tyres in the first session –
just to get a feel for the layout. The grip levels increased
throughout, but the challenge is when you don’t have
a real idea of when the levels will stabilise. I experienced
no problems and we found a good basis and made continuous
progress. In the second session we focused on some longer
runs and everything seems to be going in the right direction.”
FERNANDO ALONSO
“I walked the circuit with my engineers on Wednesday
which always gives you an initial idea, but today was when
the fun started. The track is very challenging but initially
it was very dusty and the grip levels were low. In the first
session I mainly focused on familiarisation and stayed on
the same set of tyres throughout. The second session was when
the work really began with tyre comparisons and set-up work.
So far so good and we experienced no problems. Both tyre options
seem to be working well, and I am looking forward to a competitive
weekend.”
RON DENNIS
“A welcome return to the Fuji race track where McLaren
has fond memories of winning the 1976 World Championship.
With only three races to go the entire team knows how important
it is for us to leave Japan with a strong points tally. Today’s
practice sessions bode well for the rest of the weekend. We
experienced no problems, and due to strong simulation work
back at base we arrived with a competitive set-up on which
we will continue to build in tomorrow’s practice.”
NORBERT HAUG
“Today we were fast, consistent and have done all of
our planned laps on this new challenging circuit. The organisers
did a great job, the Fuji track and the facilities are first-class
and we very much enjoy being here.”
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