Day two at Silverstone for the ING Renault F1 Team
Heikki Kovalainen, R27-06, 53 laps, 268 km, best
lap: 1:22.119
ING Renault F1 Team today pursued its development programme
at Silverstone, during the preparatory test session for the
forthcoming British Grand Prix.
Following a first day spent getting a baseline set-up on
the R27, in relatively low-grip conditions, Heikki Kovalainen
today continued working on the planned technical programme,
concentrating primarily on evaluating new aerodynamic components.
However, his programme was delayed by an engine change this
morning after the team noticed some abnormal behaviour, and
by rain during the afternoon.
That meant track conditions were rarely at their best today,
but the Finn was nonetheless able to collect a large amount
of useful data, steadily improving the behaviour and handling
of the car throughout the day. After completing a total of
53 laps, he was fifth on the timesheets with a best lap of
1:22.119.
Overall, the day finished on a positive note. The engine
problem was quickly identified and is not a cause for concern,
while Heikki found some interesting improvements that will
be ocnifrmed tomorrow on the team's final day of testing.
Nelson Piquet Jr. is scheduled to drive.
Heikki Kovalainen: "We have enjoyed
two important days of testing. We didn't do as many laps as
we would have liked, but there were some very good tests even
so. The car is more consistent to drive, and moving forward
bit by bit. I think it's an encouraging sign for the next
few races."
Christian Silk, Chief Test Engineer: "Our
problem this morning interrupted the programme, as did rain
this afternoon, but we were still able to collect some interesting
data. There are still things to be improved on the car, but
we are clearly moving in the right direction, and that's very
positive. Tomorrow will be another busy day, and we hope that
the conditions will be better than the forecasts are suggesting
at the moment!"
DRIVER TEAM BEST LAPS
1 TRULLI Toyota 1'21.420 48
2 RAIKKONEN Ferrari 1'21.548 62
3 WURZ Williams 1'21.904 64
4 DE LA ROSA McLaren 1'22.018 58
5 KOVALAINEN ING Renault F1 Team 1'22.119 53
6 LIUZZI Toro Rosso 1'22.365 82
7 WEBBER Red Bull Racing 1'22.447 33
8 GLOCK BMW 1'22.481 84
9 SUTIL Spyker 1'23.284 72
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