Jerez Test Day 2 Round-Up
Location: Circuito Permanente de Jerez, Spain
Drivers: Ricardo Zonta, Olivier Panis
Track Length: 4.428kms
Drivers:
Ricardo Zonta Best lap: 1m17.488s, total laps: 184
Olivier Panis Best lap: 1m17.801s, total laps: 187
MY, HOW TIME FLIES
In just ten days the 2006 Formula 1 season will come to close.
Today however, concluded the Panasonic Toyota Racing team's
testing for this season at the Circuito Permanente de Jerez
in Spain. From November last year until now, the test team
has had a long and busy programme testing many different items
to develop and bring the race cars forward. Mainly the team
concentrated on tyres, having switched to Bridgestone and
learning about a whole new tyre philosophy. Whether it was
a high or low point during the season, the team always held
together and pushed to improve performance. One hard worker
among the many will now leave the team and head on to new
pastures; Ricardo Zonta put in his last day of work for the
team today and bade farewell to everyone he has worked with
over the last season. Olivier Panis who was also at the wheel
today, will stay on until the end of the season before he
also carries on with his new challenge in life.
Ricardo Zonta – Chassis TF106/07B
Best Lap Time: 1m17.488
Total laps: 73
Total distance: 323.244kms
"Today was a challenging last day for me. We had planned
to do a lot of long runs for the Brazilian race tyre choice.
Unfortunately we lost some valuable time when my engine needed
to be changed. In the end, we still got some running in and
I think the team can make a good choice. This being my last
day it is difficult to leave a team that I have worked with
a long time and who have treated me so well. Looking back,
we have had quite a busy and difficult season, focusing on
the tyres and developing the car to improve on our results.
The team was always motivated to keep moving ahead. I have
always felt welcome here and I will miss everyone that I have
worked with."
Olivier Panis – Chassis TF106/06B
Best Lap Time: 1m17.801s
Total laps: 92
Total distance: 407.376kms
"I am happy with today's running and our results. We
worked mainly on tyres and set-up preparations for Interlagos.
I was able to drive over 90 laps and collected some good data
on the tyres for this race. I think we can be confident for
the last race and still vie for 5th place. The team has worked
hard and it would be great to end the season on a high note."
Gerd Pfeiffer, Test Team Manager
"Overall we can be happy with this week's test. Today's
running was not as smooth as yesterday, because we lost time
with Ricardo's car due to an engine change. Nevertheless,
Olivier was quite busy with the tyre testing for Brazil. It
is too bad that we are losing Ricardo and Olivier, as both
have a lot of experience and have been committed to our development
over the last four years. Although Olivier will come back
for winter testing, at this time, we would like to thank Ricardo
for sharing his expertise and showing such dedication over
the years. He will truly be missed."
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