Jerez testing, day 1,
First test of the year for ING Renault F1 Team.
Nelson Piquet Jr R27-06, 41 laps, 182 km, fastest lap: 1'21.595
The holidays are over and the preparations at Enstone are
well underway with the R28 soon to make its debut. In the
meantime the ING Renault F1 Team returned to action this week
in Jerez to commence its 2008 winter testing programme.
Damp conditions greeted the team this morning, and with large
amounts of water on the track, it was difficult for the team
to do any meaningful running until around midday. Nelson Piquet
Jr was in action, behind the wheel of the R27 and making his
first appearance for the team as a race driver.
The programme for the young Brazilian involved set-up work
to improve the behaviour of the car, although the damp conditions
hindered the team's efforts for the first part of the day.
In addition, the team carried out engine-mapping work to gain
further understanding of the new electronic regulations.
At the end of the day, Nelson was happy to have returned
to the cockpit after the winter break. At the end of the session
he ended up with the ninth fastest time having completed 41
laps, totalling 182 kilometres.
Nelson Piquet Jr: "I would have certainly
liked the chance to get more time in the car today, but the
conditions this morning were not ideal for either wet or dry
tyres and so we had to wait for the weather to improve. I'm
still happy to get back on track for the first time this year
and get my preparations underway. I am aware that there are
lots of things that need to be done, and there is a lot of
hard work ahead, but that is why we are here.
Christian Silk, Test Chief Engineer: "A
good day for the team overall. The programme for the coming
weeks means that the team will be very busy, but that is necessary
as we prepare for the arrival of the new car. Nelson was back
behind the wheel today for the first time as a race driver,
but the wet weather this morning reduced his running. But,
the conditions improved throughout the day, and he did a good
job which enabled us to complete the programme that we had
planned. We have a good basis on which to build for the remaining
two days of the test.
Fernando will be on track tomorrow for the first time in
ING Renault F1 Team colours.
DRIVER - TEAM - BEST LAPS
1 RAIKKONEN Ferrari 1'19.845 59
2 MASSA Ferrari 1'20.123 43
3 DE LA ROSA McLaren 1'20.548 54
4 VETTEL Toro Rosso 1'20.732 40
5 KOVALAINEN McLaren 1'20.936 49
6 BOURDAIS Toro Rosso 1'20.997 47
7 ROSBERG Williams 1'21.143 47
8 TRULLI Toyota 1'21.344 86
9 PIQUET ING Renault F1 Team 1'21.595 41
10 COULTHARD Red Bull Racing 1'21.745 51
11 LIUZZI Force India 1'23.035 44
12 NAKAJIMA Williams 1'23.134 42
13 GLOCK Toyota 1'24.351 58
14 ROSSITER Super Aguri 1'34.852 10
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