ETIHAD ALDAR SPYKER FORMULA ONE TEAM TEST REPORT: BARCELONA
T18
2 May 2007 - Christijan Albers took over driving duties today
for the Etihad Aldar Spyker Formula One Team's third and final
day of testing at the Circuit de Catalunya. In today's vastly
improved weather conditions, Christijan completed 66 laps
as the team focussed on evaluating tyres and suspension plus
preparing set-ups for next week's Spanish Grand Prix.
After a productive morning in which Christijan completed
several longer runs, the team's running was shortened following
a mechanical problem. With the team returning to base tonight
rather than staying for a fourth day, the team called a halt
to the test.
Team quotes
Mike Gascoyne, chief technical officer
'We had a fairly useful day today with Christijan. We made
some improvements to the car's handling with some different
damper settings and the car was fairly consistent in the longer
runs, so we can be confident of a better performance in the
race next week. We stopped running early when we discovered
a small problem with the rear of the car, but it's not something
that will affect us next time out in Barcelona. Overall it
was a useful test and we can now look forward to the Grand
Prix.'
Christijan Albers
'We started out quite well this morning. We were working on
some race set ups and I was quite happy as we improved the
car's handling. I did a lot of laps and I tried to push really
hard before trying some new tyres in the afternoon, but then
unfortunately we had a failure. It's a shame as it took our
afternoon away, but I think we can be pleased with today -
overall it was a good day's work.'
Media facts
* The team and car will now return to Silverstone for re-preparation
prior to next week's Spanish Grand Prix
* The team's next test will be at Paul Ricard from 15 - 18
May. One car will be used; Fairuz Fauzy, Markus Winkelhock
and Giedo van der Garde will drive for half a day each, Adrian
Sutil and Christijan Albers for one day each
* During the next test the team will prepare for both the
Monaco and Canadian Grands Prix. Ricard circuit organisers
are using two variations of the track to simulate conditions
of both Monte Carlo and Montreal
Testing data
Air temperature: High of 19ºC
Track temperature: High of 28ºC
Weather: Bright sunshine in the morning, overcast in the afternoon
Laps completed: Christijan Albers
Track: Circuit de Catalunya, Spain
Best lap time: 1min 24.870
F8-VII testing data (since 1 January 2007)
Total km run (testing): 5,510 kilometres
Total days: 12
Christijan Albers: 2,330km in total
Adrian Sutil: 1,560km in total
Fairuz Fauzy: 712km in total
Giedo van der Garde: 534km in total
Adrian Valles: 373km in total
|
