Barcelona Test: Day 1
Location: Circuito de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
Drivers: Jarno Trulli; Olivier Panis
Track length: 4.627kms
With just six weeks remaining before the F1 paddock assembles
for the first race of the 2006 season in Bahrain, the winter
test programme stepped up a notch in Barcelona with most of
Panasonic Toyota Racing's chief rivals now running their new
'06 machinery in Spain.
For the team, there is continuity of drivers and the switch
to Bridgestone tyres is the biggest change to the technical
package. Optimising the TF106 around the latest products from
the Japanese manufacturer is a key focus of the team's winter
test schedule and a major part of the three-day test this
week.
Jarno Trulli rejoined the programme fresh from a few days
cross-country ski training – complete with a special
baby sled for son Enzo to add extra weight! - while test driver
Olivier Panis has been on the snow too, for his latest ice
racing exploits in Serre-Chevalier.
CASING THE JOINT
Jarno Trulli was happy with Bridgestone's latest tyre developments
as he drove more than 100 laps of Barcelona.
Jarno Trulli – Chassis TF106/02
Best lap time: 1m17.060s
Total laps: 110
Total distance: 508.97kms
"It was a very good day in general. We concentrated
on tyre testing and set-up work and made strong progress after
an early delay due to fog. The reliability looks strong and
I also did quite a sensible lap time. Bridgestone has definitely
made a good step forward with tyre consistency. They are really
working hard and every time we come to the track they bring
new specifications that are better suited to our car. We are
definitely moving ahead well."
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
Olivier Panis, like Trulli, concentrated exclusively on tyre
work. The hugely experienced Frenchman has a strong feeling
about the year ahead.
Olivier Panis – Chassis TF106/01
Best lap time: 1m17.420s
Total laps: 93
Total distance: 430.311kms
"We had a good, positive tyre test. I think that this
car is a very good base. The balance is strong with the front
and rear working in harmony and the chassis feels nicely stiff.
All we are awaiting now is the new aerodynamic kit before
Bahrain. That will be an important step and when you take
it into account, I think we are performing very well compared
with everyone else. I think we are there. I feel very positive,
more so than last year. The car just feels better 'connected'
and everyone in the team seems together and quietly confident.
I'm not feeling any tension. I think everyone is ready for
the fight!"
DIRECTION INDICATORS
Technical Director, Chassis, Mike Gascoyne was pleased to
report a useful first day in Barcelona.
Mike Gascoyne, Technical Director, Chassis: "It was
a very productive day with both cars doing a lot of laps and
running reliably. Both drivers were concentrating on Bridgestone
tyre work, running a mixture of casing and compound tests.
We managed to get through all the work, both drivers are very
happy with the car and there are some very clear tyre directions
to work on."
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