Bahrain Grand Prix - Free Practice Round-Up
Panasonic Toyota Racing today returned to competitive action
after a break of nearly five months as the team took part
in free practice for Sunday's Bahrain Grand Prix. On a warm
Friday at Bahrain's Sakhir circuit, the only grand prix venue
in the middle of a desert, Toyota drivers Ralf Schumacher
and Jarno Trulli had a difficult start to their preparations
for the first race of 2006. Ralf completed his programme of
set-up and tyre comparison but Jarno suffered an electronics
problem with 15 minutes remaining. Toyota will now look to
learn from today's data as it pushes to improve over the rest
of the weekend.
NEW WORK STATE OF MIND
After winter in Europe, a refreshed Ralf Schumacher returned
to action in the warmth of Bahrain.
Ralf Schumacher (Car 7, Chassis TF106/05)
First Session Classification: 22nd, 1 lap completed
No lap time
Second Session Classification: 22nd, 18 laps completed
Lap Time: 1m35.170s (+3.817s)
"This year we no longer have Ricardo Zonta driving on
Fridays but my free practice programme is not hugely different.
We didn't do much running in the first session while the track
was at its dirtiest but we got through our programme without
technical problems in session two, collecting some useful
data. Our lap times were not to the level of some but we are
still learning how to make the most of our package in warm
conditions. We have a lot of changes on our car from last
year and all our testing so far has taken place at lower temperatures.
We will analyse the data tonight to make our tyre choice for
the next two days."
SAND GLITCH
Jarno Trulli missed out on some running due to an electronics
problem in the second session of practice.
Jarno Trulli (Car 8, Chassis TF106/04)
First Session Classification: 21st, 2 laps completed
No lap time
Second Session Classification: 24th, 11 laps completed
Lap Time: 1m35.898s (+4.545s)
"It was a pity that I was not able to complete my afternoon's
work today. The Sakhir circuit was initially very dusty and
dirty so like many teams we did most of our running in the
second session. I was in the start of a long run for tyre
comparison when I suffered an electronics problem which brought
my session to a premature close. Not the best of days, then,
but at least we have some data to work with overnight in preparation
for tomorrow. It will be a brand new system of qualifying
but the approach will be the same, to put together a quick
lap when it matters."
DESERT MIX
It was a hard day's work for Panasonic Toyota Racing around
the Sakhir circuit in Bahrain.
Mike Gascoyne – Technical Director Chassis
"That was a difficult first day for us. We had a very
conservative programme for the two free practice sessions.
Unfortunately we had an electronics problem which stopped
Jarno's car before he'd done any really meaningful running.
Ralf was able to complete his limited programme but I think
we have to wait until tomorrow to see our true level of competitiveness.
It's a new situation for us to run without the third car on
Fridays, but as one of the top four teams that's how it will
be so we have to learn to cope with that. Certainly today
we've been struggling for grip and to get the tyre in the
right operating window. But some of our fellow Bridgestone
runners ran quite competitively so that's hopeful for tomorrow."
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