Jerez Testing, Day 3, 10/02/06
The Renault F1 Team completed its third day of four at Jerez
today with Fisichella and Kovalainen in action.
Giancarlo Fisichella and Heikki Kovalainen were once again
running for the Renault F1 Team today in Jerez, for the third
day of four in this week's test session. Although the circuit
was wet in the morning, this didn't stop them from running
as soon as the track opened, which allowed the team to conduct
software checks while also getting a feel for the handling
of the R26 in these low-grip conditions.
The circuit improved steadily through the morning, and was
dry by early afternoon. The drivers continued their programmes,
with Giancarlo focusing his efforts on set-up evaluation while
Heikki tested tyres with Michelin, in preparation for the
season-opening races in Bahrain and Malaysia.
The Renault F1 Team drivers both set competitive lap-times,
taking the top two spots. Giancarlo was fastest on 1:17.756,
with Heikki next up after lapping in 1:17.865.
Before moving on to Valencia next week, the team will continue
its work tomorrow with a single car, as Heikki Kovalainen
conducts wet weather testing with Michelin.
Giancarlo Fisichella: "We had another
interesting day, in spite of the fact that the track was wet
this morning. I was very pleased with the car in wet conditions,
and then concentrated on set-up development. I am pleased
with the times today, and I think we have completed an important
part of our winter work this week. We now need to maintain
a good rhythm, and work hard, because the first race is coming
up fast."
Heikki Kovalainen: "I was pleased with
today. We made good progress, which had seemed unlikely this
morning when the track was wet. It was a productive programme,
and we did plenty of tyre testing. Personally, I was pleased
with the speed and with my first experience of the R26 in
the wet. I felt very comfortable, and I should get an even
better impression tomorrow during the wet weather testing
for Michelin."
Christian Silk, Chief Test Engineer: "The
track conditions this morning allowed us to get a first impression
of how the car handles in wet weather. Giancarlo seemed pleased
with the car, and although it was Heikki's first test in these
conditions, he adapted very quickly. We had a productive afternoon,
with Heikki conducting tyre testing in preparation for the
first races of the year. Giancarlo continued to focus on set-up
development, and he seems to have found some good solutions.
After tomorrow's wet-weather work, we will continue next week
in Valencia, beginning on Wednesday."
DRIVER - TEAM - BEST LAPS
1 FISICHELLA Renault 1:17.756 77
2 KOVALAINEN Renault 1:17.865 60
3 RAIKONNEN McLaren 1:18.016 52
4 HEIDFELD BMW 1:18.443 80
5 DE LA ROSA McLaren 1:19.488 25
6 PAFFET McLaren 1:19.920 92
7 KUBICA BMW 1:19.974 78
8 MONTEIRO Midland 1:20.108 73
9 WURZ Williams 1:20.154 82
10 SPEED Toro Rosso 1:20.502 79
11 ALBERS Midland 1:21.096 69
12 WEBBER Williams 1:23.505 14
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