Valencia Test: Round-Up
Location: Circuit Ricardo Tormo, Valencia, Spain
Dates: 1-2 March 2006
Track length: 4.000km
Drivers:
Ralf Schumacher Best lap: 1m11.121s, total laps: 132
Jarno Trulli Best lap: 1m 12.163s, total laps: 187
The winter test programme has finally come to an end today
for the Panasonic Toyota Racing team. When the tests began
back in November 2005, the new TF106 was introduced in Barcelona
and with it came a serious of important test items. Comprising
a new rear-end, modified front suspension, new specification
RVX-06 engine and new Bridgestone tyres, the entire team faced
a series of unknowns, but before the year came to a close,
the results began to show promise.
When testing resumed in January at the Circuito Permanente
de Jerez, it was clear that the main focus of testing until
the race season would be on the Bridgestone tyres and the
reliability of the new V8 engine. Many tyre variations and
compounds were tried and tested, even though the weather in
the south of Europe did not always present race-simulation
conditions. Nevertheless, the team pushed on and worked hard
to collect important data while adding mileage to the engines.
Finally, in line with the Toyota Way policy of continuous
improvement, the team introduced the latest developments from
its 50%-scale Cologne-based wind tunnel: the new and highly
anticipated aerodynamic package. On Valentine's Day, the team
tested at a cold and rainy Vallelunga circuit near Rome to
gain results from the new aerodynamic elements for the first
time outside of the wind tunnel. The cold weather did not
drown out the team's good spirits and in the end, the expectations
for the new car had been met.
Now the winter test season comes to a close and the teams
will head to Bahrain to see who has done their homework over
the last eight weeks. New engines, new qualifying format and
tyre changes will definitely make this season more interesting,
yet strategically challenging for each team. Panasonic Toyota
Racing will gear up and journey towards the desert kingdom
having gained a lot of mileage and experience; when calculating
a combined total of 4,635 laps from the two TF106s beginning
with the first test on 29 November 2005 up to and including
this test, this equates to 20,307km!
Without further ado, it's off to the races and Panasonic
Toyota Racing is looking forward to an exciting and hard-fought
season!
ON TARGET
Ralf Schumacher put in his last day of testing, having focused
on tyres and race set-ups.
Ralf Schumacher – Chassis TF106/05
Best lap time: 1m12.067s
Total laps: 72
Total distance: 288km
"Today we worked on tyre balance set-ups and some race
test items. After having pushed hard the whole day, we made
it through all the test items so that we could end the day
early. At the moment everything is running positively and
as planned. We can be happy with the achievement that we have
made until now. The car is performing well and we will see
in Bahrain if we really are heading in the right direction.
After all this testing in winter, I feel that we are ready
and I am rather optimistic, but as I have said before it is
difficult to see where we stand in comparison to everyone
else. The car is consistent and reliable, I feel good driving
it, and now I will head to Bahrain on Wednesday, where the
season will finally get underway. Just like everyone else
in Formula 1, our aim is to win races and I think we will
have quite an interesting year in 2006. "
FIGHTING CHANCE
Jarno Trulli finished his second and last day of running,
happy with the consistent progress over the winter.
Jarno Trulli – Chassis TF106/02
Best lap time: 1m12.346s
Total laps: 107
Total distance: 428km
"Today we continued to test some tyres to understand
their behaviour. This was our final chance to make preparations
for the first race, like testing slow safety car and formation
laps. We feel that we are ready for the first race, but it
is difficult to say how competitive we are. I can only say
that the team has done a good job with the testing and the
organisation was perfect. Although we had some bad weather
over the last tests, we have achieved some consistent running.
We aim to improve on last year's performance and to take a
further step forward – we have to believe in this and
live it. The team is always developing, fighting, and sharing
the same feeling that we do our best and hope to win a race."
THAT'S A WRAP!
Panasonic Toyota Racing wraps up its pre-season testing.
Gerd Pfeiffer, Test Team Manager
"During the whole winter as well as today, we have tried
to test the reliability of the car, the aerodynamics, various
set-ups and tyre compounds for the first races. Today we have
done a lot of long runs, focusing on race preparations, such
as qualifying laps and tyre behaviour. The drivers have been
motivated throughout the whole programme and have proved very
helpful in the development of the new cars. I think we can
be happy with the progress and the stage that we have reached
with the test programme. With every kilometre driven, we gained
useful information and have a good understanding of the cars
and their performance."
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