ETIHAD ALDAR SPYKER FORMULA ONE TEAM TEST REPORT
ITALY T35 - Day One
Having successfully passed the stringent FIA rear impact
test on Tuesday, the Etihad Aldar Spyker Formula One Team's
new B-spec challenger was given its first full day of running
at the Autodromo Nationale di Monza circuit, Italy, today.
Adrian Sutil completed 76 laps and more than 400km with the
new car, which will now make its race debut at the Italian
Grand Prix in just over a week's time. Today's programme focussed
on familiarisation work with the new car, optimising the low-downforce
set-up needed for the forthcoming race and comparisons of
the hard and soft Bridgestone Potenza tyre options available
for the Grand Prix.
The B-spec performed reliably throughout the day, although
the programme was shortened slightly with a gearbox problem
late in the afternoon and a rain shower over lunch.
Sakon Yamamoto will take over driving duties tomorrow, his
first time in the new B-spec and his first-ever test day for
the Etihad Aldar Spyker Formula One Team.
Team quotes
Dominic Harlow, chief race and test engineer
'Spyker joined the Monza test a day late with Adrian Sutil
driving the 'B' spec chassis for its first full circuit test.
Monza requires a specific aero package of which the validation
process was started today. The circuit also makes high demands
on the brakes, suspension over the kerbs in the chicanes,
and on the engine with long periods of hard acceleration.
During the day the team gathered data on all these areas and
worked on particular developments for each of the systems.
In terms of our preparation for the race here in ten days
time our progress looks promising and we know that there is
plenty of potential in the new car.
Adrian Sutil
'Today was in general quite good. We planned to do some more
running but we had a small issue in the afternoon with the
gearbox and lost a little time, but otherwise a good day.
We worked on finding a good set-up for the race and understanding
how the car behaves in low downforce configuration and also
tried out the soft and harder tyres, which seemed to work
well for us. It is difficult to say where we are with the
new car; Monza is a very special track unlike anywhere else
with less grip, but I think it was a good start.'
Testing data
Driver: Adrian Sutil
Track: Autodromo Nationale Di Monza, Italy
Best lap time: 1min 25.278
Laps completed: 76
Kilometres completed: 439km
Air temperature: High of 39 C
Track temperature: High of 76 C
Weather: Dry, overcast and humid, shower at 13:45-14:00 wetting
track for approx 45mins
|
