MF1 RACING
2006 SAN MARINO GRAND PRIX PREVIEW
MF1 Racing arrives in San Marino, traditionally the first
European race of the season, with new MAN transporters, a
new hospitality centre and, most importantly, newly developed
parts for its three M16s.
During a 2-day test session at Silverstone Circuit last week,
the team performed an intensive evaluation of its control
systems and analysed the performance of new aerodynamic components.
Based on data gained from the test, MF1hopes to see improved
results at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola, a demanding,
physical track that places great emphasis on high downforce,
suspension set-up, strong brakes, and powerful engines.
Tiago Monteiro (POR), Race Driver, Car #18: "It's
good to be back in Europe! I'm looking forward to trying out
all the new parts we have on the car, which should make for
a good improvement. I really believe I could have scored points
in Australia had I not been forced to retire with mechanical
problems. Hopefully, I will have the same opportunity at Imola,
which is a very exciting track with a great racing tradition
- one of the last traditional drivers' circuits left on the
calendar."
Christijan Albers (NED), Race Driver, Car #19:
"I am really looking forward to the first European GP
of 2006. I was very impressed with the new parts we tested
at Silverstone, which should help us move forward. The car
is really improving, and Tiago, Giorgio and I will do everything
to show that MF1 Racing is on the way up. Imola is a nice
track with a great atmosphere, and I can't wait to get back
in the car again. Maximum attack!"
Giorgio Mondini (SUI), Reserve Driver: "It's
going to be nice to finally drive on a track I'm familiar
with, for a change! I know Imola quite well and I like it
very much, actually. It's a challenging circuit, but it's
good from a driver's point of view because it flows and allows
you to get into a rhythm. Friday is going to be interesting
because from what I've seen, the track surface is still very
dirty, which will affect traction considerably. But my fitness
is much better than it was in Malaysia, so I'm confident that
I will be able to do a good job for the team and help them
choose the right tyres for the weekend."
Dominic Harlow, Head of Race and Test Engineering:
"Imola is a classic and challenging circuit, with several
high-speed chicanes, considerable elevation changes, and some
hard braking points. The track surface is well worn and poses
its own set of challenges for the control systems, particularly
early in the weekend. This lower grip level, combined with
the chicane kerbs, forces us to focus on damping and the third
spring set-ups in both the front and rear suspension. There
have been some small changes to the circuit, making Turns
11 and 12 tighter. It is a difficult area to simulate, and
because of the kerbs, we believe it will slow the cars by
approximately 1.5 seconds per lap and, of course, increase
brake energy slightly. We were pleased with the results of
the Silverstone test week. We feel we made significant progress
with the Bridgestone tyres and also tested development aero
parts that our simulation predicts will give us improved performance.
In addition, we now fully understand the problem that caused
Tiago's retirement in Australia and have a fix tested and
in place."
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