Jerez Test - Day 3
Location: Circuit Permanente de Jerez, Spain
Drivers: Ralf Schumacher, Kamui Kobayashi
Track length: 4.428km
RAIN IN SPAIN
Panasonic Toyota Racing concluded its three-day test at Jerez
with a trouble-free run in changing, and challenging, conditions
in Spain. The morning started with a torrential downpour which
soaked the circuit and made driving nearly impossible. But
Toyota Young Driver Programme member Kamui Kobayashi showed
no fear and followed Ralf Schumacher out of the garage, with
the Toyota pair the first drivers to brave a wet track for
an installation lap. Plans to continue evaluation of the 2007
Bridgestone tyres were put on hold until the track dried but
in the afternoon sunshine, both Schumacher and Kobayashi returned
to the planned programme and put the new rubber through its
paces. The team are back at Jerez next week for the final
test of the year.
Ralf Schumacher - Chassis TF106B/09
Best Lap Time: 1m20.339s
Total laps: 61
Total distance: 270.1kms
"This morning it was quite difficult to drive because
of the rain – there were rivers running across the track
and the car was aquaplaning. It was not really possible to
use dry tyres until later in the afternoon as the track was
still drying and there were too many wet patches. It would
have made it difficult to compare our results to the information
we got earlier this week. The car balance was better today
so I think we are making progress, but there is still a lack
of grip at this track and with these tyres."
Kamui Kobayashi - Chassis TF106B/07
Best Lap Time: 1m20.978s
Total laps: 70
Total distance: 309.9kms
"My two days here went quite well. I had to find a suitable
driving style for Formula 1 and I tried out different set-ups
until I found one I liked. I also had experience of new tyres
which I enjoyed and I think it went well. Considering this
was my first time at Jerez and only my second test with Toyota,
I think I did a good job. But of course I can still improve
and I need more experience with the car. During my two days
here the Toyota team has been fantastic. It is different to
anything else I have experience because everyone in the team
is a professional, from the mechanics to the engineers. It
was very easy to work with them and they have helped me learn
about Formula 1. In particular I have learnt about the importance
of communication when testing and also physically I know more
about what being a Formula 1 driver requires. Also a Formula
1 car is very different from the cars I have driven previously
and I have had to get used to traction control and some very
specialised parts. I found that a bit tricky on my first test
but I have improved this week and all the experience I have
gained should really help me in my career."
Gerd Pfeiffer, Test Team Manager
"We were expecting rain this morning and we were not
disappointed! It was not too bad from a testing point of view
because it gave us the chance to gain more knowledge of our
wet tyres and that is always useful because it is hard to
simulate real wet conditions. Both Ralf and Kamui did well
not to make any mistakes on a difficult track and when the
circuit dried we were able to return to our programme of testing
the new dry tyres."
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