Testing day 2 Renault Jerez
The second day of testing with the new R26 saw Giancarlo
Fisichella complete nearly 300 km, while Fernando Alonso worked
through a lengthy tyre development programme.
Work with the new R26 chassis continued to progress smoothly
at Jerez in southern Spain today, with Giancarlo Fisichella
completing almost 300 km without incident. At this early stage,
the team’s priority is simply to build mileage with
the new chassis and engine package, without focusing on performance
development. After completing several installation laps and
short runs, Giancarlo Fisichella’s programme therefore
centred around long runs, which were only interrupted by red
flags due to incidents involving other cars. His lap-times
proved consistent, with both chassis and engine performing
well.
In improved conditions relative to yesterday, with warmer
track and ambient temperatures through much of the afternoon,
Fernando Alonso completed an extensive tyre development programme
with technical partner Michelin. Tomorrow, he will get his
first taste of the R26 as Giancarlo takes over the tyre programme
with last year’s car.
Giancarlo Fisichella: “It was another encouraging day
for me with the R26. We did not run much this morning, but
it was much better this afternoon when we managed some long
runs. The lap-times look reasonable, but the important thing
is that they are very consistent, because we haven’t
touched the set-up at all yet. It is hard for me to compare
with the R25 at the moment, because I only drove the V8 power
simulation for one day in wet conditions. So tomorrow, when
I am in the old car, I can have a better idea of the step
forward we have made. Overall, though, today confirmed my
first impressions, that the potential is there with this car.”
Fernando Alonso: “So far this week, we have been working
on car developments for this season, particularly brakes and
tyres. We got a lot of running done today, but obviously I
am really waiting for tomorrow and trying the new car. It
looks very good, and quite similar to the R25 from the outside.
The R25 was a very good car for the drivers, so I hope the
R26 will be similar to drive as well. I am looking forward
to my first run tomorrow.”
Bob Bell, Chassis Technical Director: “We had a slow
start to the morning as we concentrated on installation laps
and system checks, but after these had been completed to our
satisfaction, we continued building our mileage with the new
car, culminating in two longer runs in the afternoon in spite
of interruptions owing to red flags. These went very well,
with Giancarlo’s lap-times indicating the chassis is
handling consistently while the V8 engine once again ran well.
Fernando will take over with the car tomorrow, and our focus
will remain the same: putting mileage on the package without
focusing on performance. It is still very early in our programme
with this car, but the first two days have provided a very
positive foundation.”
1 DE LA ROSA McLaren 1:16.514
2 SCHUMACHER Ferrari 1:17.969
3 ZONTA Toyota 1:18.544
4 ALONSO Renault 1:18.593
5 HEIDFELD BMW 1:18.822
6 FISICHELLA Renault 1:19.125
7 RSCHUMACHER Toyota 1:19.196
8 ROSBERG Williams 1:19.380
9 DAVIDSON Honda 1:19.426
10 BADOER Ferrari 1:19.767
11 ROSSITER Honda 1:19.886
12 TRULLI Toyota 1:19.966
13 PAFFETT McLaren 1:20.129
14 LIUZZI Red Bull 1:20.194
15 WURZ Williams 1:20.759
16 COULTHARD Red Bull 1:21.200
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