2006 SAN MARINO GRAND PRIX – PREVIEW
SUPER AGURI F1 TEAM is looking forward to its first race
in Europe as it heads to the San Marino Grand Prix in Imola
this week.
Since its encouraging performance in the opening rounds of
the FIA Formula One™ World Championship, the team has
participated in the official test in Barcelona to prepare
for the first run of European grands prix. Although the team
was able to run through a range of performance and reliability
issues that will stand them in good stead for the upcoming
races, they encountered a number of problems that prevented
Yuji Ide from driving on the final day. As a result, Takuma
Sato was only able to clock up 117 laps and 541 kilometres
in total from the test.
Undeterred, the team now heads to the Autodromo Enzo e Dino
Ferrari in Imola, a firm favourite amongst F1 drivers. The
circuit is situated 20 miles south-east of Bologna and has
hosted both the San Marino and Italian Grands Prix throughout
its history. It is as a fast, narrow circuit with some daring
corners and, along with Interlagos and Instanbul, is one of
only three anti-clockwise circuits on the F1 calendar.
Takuma Sato
“The start of the European season means that the team
will be in its new motorhome, which will be exciting to see.
Following the two-week break the team is now refreshed and
looking forward to the San Marino Grand Prix. Imola is a unique
circuit – classic and narrow with a bumpy surface. We
use a lot of kerb throughout the race, so car set-up is very
important. The weather is often cold which makes the driving
conditions very different from the first races of the season.
Our car has good straight-line speed, but the chicanes and
high-speed corners will make this race another challenge for
us.”
Yuji Ide
"I am disappointed that I was not able to drive during
the test in Barcelona last week as I really need to complete
more miles and spend more time learning the car. I want to
finish the next race as I did in Australia and hopefully be
able to run a little faster. It is my first European race
so I am looking forward to it and have been studying the Imola
circuit during the break."
Aguri Suzuki, Team Principal
"After three fly away races I am sure that the team
members were glad to return home. In the time we have had
back in the UK we have been able to work on the car and participate
in an important test in Barcelona. The team was not able to
complete its entire programme but was able to achieve a greater
understanding of the SA05 as this was the car’s first
full testing programme. So I am content with our progress
as the team flies to Italy for its first European race.”
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