Day one of testing in Bahrain for the ING Renault F1 Team.
Heikki Kovalainen, R27-03, 113 laps, best lap: 1'33.579
Nelson Piquet Jr., R27-01, 92 laps, best lap: 1'33.807
The ING Renault F1 Team today commenced its first three-day
test session at Bahrain's Sakhir circuit. After working for
much of the winter in Spain, the team – and eight of
its rivals – decided upon two pre-season development
sessions in warmer conditions, at the circuit that will host
the third round of this year's championship.
After a European programme that was disrupted by inclement
weather, forecasts at Sakhir leave the team optimistic of
productive conditions for the final stage of the R27's pre-season
development. The team and drivers will have the opportunity
to assess the car's handling in warmer conditions, as well
as assessing the behaviour of the Bridgestone Potenza tyres
at higher track temperatures than those encountered in Europe.
In addition to providing the opportunity for running in warmer
conditions, the two final tests of the season give the team
a final opportunity to practice procedures before the season
begins. Consequently, the ING Renault F1 Team race team is
present in Bahrain, in addition to the test team.
Heikki Kovalainen and Nelson Piquet Jr. are representing
the team this week, and completed a solid first day's work.
The target for this morning was to complete race distances
while the track was still dirty, and both drivers achieved
this without any problems. The two drivers subsequently began
set-up programmes during the afternoon, collecting promising
data for the coming days.
At the end of the day, the team had completed a total of
205 laps. Heikki Kovalainen finished the day eleventh, in
1'33.579, while Nelson Piquet Jr. was twelve with a best lap
of 1'33.807.
Heikki Kovalainen: "The track conditions
were pretty good straight away this morning, and that allowed
us to begin our programme immediately. We did the planned
race distance without any problems, which was a good start,
and we then worked on car set-up, which gives us a good basis
for the rest of the week."
Nelson Piquet Jr.: "We had a busy morning,
and did fewer laps this afternoon. Overall, track conditions
were good, and I liked the track. I am looking forward to
beginning the main part of my programme tomorrow."
Christian Silk concluded: "We got plenty
of mileage under our belts during our first day of testing.
Both drivers completed race simulations without any problems,
and began some set-up work, which confirmed our conclusion
from recent weeks. It was an encouraging start to the programme,
and we hope to continue in the same manner tomorrow."
DRIVER - TEAM - BEST LAPS
1 MASSA Ferrari 1'31.778 86
2 RAIKKONEN Ferrari 1'31.901 47
3 BUTTON Honda 1'32.097 84
4 HAMILTON McLaren 1'32.194 82
5 DE LA ROSA McLaren 1'32.628 48
6 VETTEL BMW 1'32.646 97
7 TRULLI Toyota 1'32.784 34
8 HEIDFELD BMW 1'32.815 49
9 BARRICHELLO Honda 1'32.920 100
10 DAVIDSON Super Aguri 1'33.396 74
11 KOVALAINEN Renault 1'33.579 113
12 PIQUET Renault 1'33.807 92
13 WEBBER Red Bull Racing 1'34.076 27
14 COULTHARD Red Bull Racing 1'34.594 30
15 SCHUMACHER Toyota 1'35.254 35
16 LIUZZI Toro Rosso 1'36.345 25
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