2008 SPAIN GRAND PRIX FREE PRACTICE
Vodafone McLaren Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and Heikki
Kovalainen finished today's second practice session in 11th
and 16th places respectively. Lewis set a time of 1:22.685
whilst Heikki did 1:23.264. Lewis completed 33 laps and Heikki
did eight. In the first session Lewis' time of 1:21.192 (20
laps) put him third whilst Heikki did 1:21.758 (10 laps) and
finished fifth. During the break between the sessions, the
team changed the gearbox on Heikki's car following a problem
with the oil pump. In the second session, Heikki stopped on
the track, when a problem with the throttle control caused
the engine safety system to activate.
Practice Session One:
Lewis Heikki:
10.00: out / in 10.00: out / in
10.30: 8 laps, best 1:21.192 10.28: 6 laps, best 1:21.778
10.50: 6 laps, best 1:21.284 10.49: 4 laps, best 1:21.768
11.14: 6 laps, best 1:21.652
Practice Session Two:
Lewis: Heikki:
14.00: 5 laps, best 1:23.557 14.45: out / in
14.18: 8 laps, best 1:22.954 14.46: 4 laps, best 1:23.264
14.44: 10 laps, best 1:22.857 15.02: 3 laps, best 1:24.309
15.15: 10 laps, best 1:22.685
LEWIS HAMILTON
"We struggled with the balance of the car throughout
both sessions today. There was too much oversteer and we tried
a lot of different things to improve but didn’t make
the progress we wanted. We will look at the information overnight,
and I am confident we will find the improvements needed. As
is often the case we ran with heavy race fuel loads throughout
the long runs in both sessions so the times don’t really
mean that much. Tomorrow is when it counts and I am looking
forward to getting some more running under my belt."
HEIKKI KOVALAINEN
"A disappointing day for me unfortunately. I
managed to do a bit of running in the first session, but the
time was cut short when a problem developed with the gear
box oil pump and the guys had to change the gearbox between
sessions. Then in the second practice all of a sudden I lost
all power when the engine switched off and was told to pull
over, and that was the end of that. We will have a good look
at the car overnight to understand what caused the problem
in the second session and then start a new day tomorrow. There
is still time left and a lot can happen."
MARTIN WHITMARSH
"An unsatisfactory start to Heikki’s Spanish Grand
Prix weekend. Following the gearbox oil pump failure in the
first session we lost some time as we had to change the rear
of the car. Then in his second run in the second session the
systems lost control of the engine throttle and the safety
system activated and stopped the engine. The engine did come
back to life but we stopped as a precaution. We will now establish
what caused this problem as there are a number of theories
at the moment. Lewis suffered from oversteer throughout, and
we will look at all the data overnight to find a solution.
As is normal on a Friday both drivers ran with heavy fuel
loads on the long runs, but there is no doubt that our competition
looks strong."
NORBERT HAUG
"On a difficult and very windy day with changing track
conditions Lewis completed his preparation programme for Saturday
and Sunday. The times during the long runs didn’t look
too bad but Lewis felt more comfortable with the car during
testing here last week. Heikki had an even more difficult
day with limited running. Between both sessions, the team
changed the gearbox on his car. During the second session
he stopped on the track because the engine safety programme
set in following a problem with the throttle control."
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