SAF1 TEAM END OF TEST REPORT, SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS –
Day 3
Duration of test: 3 days
Driver Day 3: Takuma Sato
Chassis: SA07-05
No. of Laps: 99
Best Lap Time: 1:48.610
Position: 9th (out of 11 cars)
Weather: Damp to start, then dry
Temperatures: Air: 13-15°C, Track: 21-27°C
TOTAL TEST LAPS: 220
TOTAL TEST KILOMETRES: 1540.9
BEST SAF1 TEAM LAP TIME: James Rossiter, Day One, 1:48.287
Takuma Sato concluded the SUPER AGURI F1 TEAM test at the
Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on Day Three. The main emphasis
of the day was working on achieving a good chassis balance
and understanding how the Bridgestone Potenza tyres react
to the modified circuit.
Test Quotes:
James Rossiter
“On day one I worked on control systems evaluation
in the morning and then concentrated on longer runs in the
afternoon to see how the tyres were around the Spa circuit.
The car balance felt good and we had no issues on day one.
I think that the modification that has been made to La Source
hairpin is good and the replacement for the Bus Stop chicane
is a new challenge as it goes in a completely different direction.
The camber changes are interesting too, so I am looking forward
to seeing how these will affect the race when we return here
in September.”
Anthony Davidson
“It was my first day driving round the new modified
circuit at Spa and I was very impressed with what they’ve
done. Unfortunately the weather was not great on the day I
ran, but we have every chance of it being a wet race anyway,
so we concentrated on finding good balance in the rain on
both the extreme and wet tyres. The limited dry running I
had meant that we were able to work on the electronics side
even more and I was happy with the progress that we made.”
Takuma Sato
“It was a very interesting day. The weather was not
consistent; this morning was only damp with light showers
later, so we were able to complete a lot of dry running. We
concentrated mainly on tyre work and aero analysis, but we
also evaluated a new electronics system. There was a lot to
do today and we collected a good amount of data. The modifications
to the circuit are very well done. There is a new track surface
giving it a bit more grip and there is a greater opportunity
to overtake and race before the old Bus Stop chicane as you
now have to slow down and brake heavily for the revised section.
All of the changes seem to be quite safe, although the pitlane
entrance is quite narrow. If they look at this before the
Grand Prix I think that we will be in for a good race.”
Graham Taylor, Sporting Director
“It was good to test at this great circuit prior to
racing here in September. All three SAF1 Team drivers were
able to get some good mileage, but as usual the weather in
Spa played a disruptive element in our plans. Having not tested
before the Silverstone race it was imperative that SUPER AGURI
F1 TEAM was able to run through rudimentary preparations for
the Belgian Grand Prix.”
POS CAR NO: DRIVER TEAM TIME LAPS
1 6 Kimi Raikkonen Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro 1:47.042 69
2 10 Robert KUBICA BMW Sauber F1 Team 1:47.265 78
3 5 Fernando Alonso Vodafone McLaren Mercedes 1:47.645 75
4 15 Mark Webber Red Bull Racing 1:47.699 44
5 3 Giancarlo Fisichella ING Renault F1 1:47.724 76
6 17 Alexander Wurz AT&T Williams 1:48.437 76
7 12 Jarno Trulli Panasonic Toyota Racing 1:48.491 76
8 - Sebastien Bourdais Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:48.585 91
9 22 Takuma Sato Super Aguri F1 Team 1:48.610 99
10 8 Rubens Barrichello Honda Racing F1 Team 1:48.704 81
11 - Christian Klein Etihad Aldar Spyker F1 Team 1:49.119
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