MF1 RACING
2006 British GP - Preview
Following a two-day test at Elvington Circuit in Yorkshire,
UK, that saw the team focus on aerodynamic development, Midland
F1 Racing now heads across the road from its Northamptonshire
headquarters to Silverstone Circuit for the Round 8 of the
2006 FIA Formula 1 World Championship - the British Grand
Prix.
With Markus Winkelhock and Fabrizio Del Monte alternating
days behind the wheel, the team ran more than 300km at Elvington,
covering an intensive aero testing programme that evaluated
parts for the forthcoming high-speed Silverstone and North
American races, as well as some engine items.
In addition to holding special value for MF1 Racing personnel
as the team's home race, the British GP also remains a sentimental
favourite for MF1 Racing's Sporting Relations Manager, Johnny
Herbert, who won his first F1 race on home soil in 1995 driving
for Benetton-Renault.
Tiago Monteiro (POR), Car #18: "Silverstone
is our home race, so obviously it will be very important for
the drivers and the whole team to do well here. There will
be lots of fans and sponsors in the stands, as well as many
employees and their families, which should make for a fun
atmosphere. We do a fair amount of testing here, so we are
familiar with the set-up, but weather conditions are always
changing and that can make things quite tricky. All in all,
I'm looking forward to it, as quick tracks like this one are
among my favourites. We missed a good opportunity in Monaco,
where we showed good pace all weekend, so I am more motivated
than ever to do well and hopefully, score our first points."
Christijan Albers (NED), Car #19: "I
am really looking forward to Silverstone. I have been testing
there a few times this year, so it's a circuit that I know
well. The Midland factory is situated in Silverstone next
to the track, and the whole team there is working very hard
to make progress. For them it's their home race, so it's a
very important race for all of us."
Giorgio Mondini (SUI), Test and Reserve Driver:
"I like this circuit, having tested there already with
the team earlier this year. It's always been a very difficult,
technical track, but now that cornering speeds are higher
than ever before, you really need to place the car very carefully
to ensure a good flow through the corners. I think it's going
to be a good test for all the drivers. I'm encouraged by the
progress we've been making during the last few races so hopefully,
with some luck, we'll be able to make the most of it this
weekend."
Colin Kolles, Managing Director: "I
am looking forward to the British GP, where we will have new
aerodynamic developments on the cars. Hopefully, these upgrades
will bring us closer to the frontrunners."
James Key, Technical Director: "We
go into the British GP off the back of a competitive performance
at Monaco. Although Silverstone is a very different circuit,
we hope to continue our progress and reduce the gap to our
competitors. It may, however, be a little more difficult than
the last race. Having said that, it is a circuit we know well
and the combination of high-speed corners and the complex
at the end of the lap offers a great technical challenge.
As ever, tyre choice will be critical, as Silverstone is a
hard circuit on tyres and we will have to do our homework
on Friday. The weather conditions may also play their part,
so we could be in for an interesting weekend. Most important
is that we progress in qualifying as best possible and have
an incident-free race. Our performance improvements are clear,
but we have to ensure that we get more out of the qualifying
and race sessions."
Dominic Harlow, Chief Race and Test Engineer:
"Silverstone is now the second fastest circuit on the
calendar (Monza being the fastest), with an average speed
of over 230km/h on each lap. A stable and well-balanced car
is vital, as the circuit rewards aerodynamic efficiency. Interestingly,
Silverstone has a very 'flat' characteristic with respect
to downforce level, and it is possible to run both high and
low top-speeds to achieve similar lap times. It is, of course,
our home circuit, and we test here more frequently than anywhere
else. The fact that it was once an airfield, though, means
it always throws up some set-up challenges with the wind conditions
and micro-climactic effects. Our car build specification is
quite heavily revised since Monaco, with some new aerodynamic
parts and a very different mechanical setup, so we expect
the gap to the front to continue closing."
Johnny Herbert, Sporting Relations Manager:
"After another reliable finish in Monaco, I feel that
we will have to work that little bit harder to squeeze out
every drop of speed from the M16 this weekend. Despite our
drivers having a little 'coming together' at the start in
Monaco, I will ensure that, as always, Tiago and Christijan
work together as a unit and try once again to get our cars
into the second qualifying session. Our technical package
is coming together nicely; now it's just a matter of everyone
pulling together to take us to that next step."
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