Jerez Test – Day 1
Location: Circuito Permanente de Jerez, Spain
Drivers: Timo Glock, Kamui Kobayashi
Track length: 4.428km
ALL CHANGE
Panasonic Toyota Racing began a new era today with Timo Glock
and Kamui Kobayashi testing for the first time since being
confirmed as race driver and third driver respectively for
2008. Both drivers got their first taste of the TF107, although
Kamui’s car featured significant changes with a view
to next season, including a revised rear end. Timo and Kamui
left the pit garage at Jerez in unison just a minute after
the green flag flew and completed installation laps. Both
drivers soon got to work understanding their new machinery
and making initial set-up changes, with no problems on either
car. Kamui had a highly productive day and clocked a mammoth
114 laps - more than any other driver - as he got back into
the Formula 1 groove with his first full test for the team
since December 2006. Timo, using 2007 electronics without
traction control or engine braking, soon struck up a strong
working relationship with the team and he also steadily improved
his lap times as he became more familiar with the TF107. Timo
and Kamui continue tomorrow.
Timo Glock - Chassis TF107/03
Best Lap Time: 1min 21.336s
Position: 13th
Total laps: 69
Total distance: 305.532km
Kamui Kobayashi- Chassis TF107/06
Best Lap Time: 1min 22.196s
Position: 19th
Total laps: 114
Total distance: 504.792km
“It was great to get back in a Formula 1 car again.
Even though I don’t officially become third driver until
January, it feels like I have already begun my role and today
I was able to learn a lot about the car. At the start of the
day I was just trying to get comfortable with the car and
the track and I was able to do a lot of laps which really
helped me. In the afternoon I could work more on set-up and
understanding the development parts on the car and I think
we made some good progress. I enjoy working with the team
and this test is great experience for me before I officially
start as third driver next year. Now I can’t wait to
get back in the car tomorrow.”
Pascal Vasselon, Senior General Manager Chassis
“It has been a very interesting experience to have
two new drivers in the car today. We are very pleased to have
Timo in the car and he has made a strong first impression.
He is very focused and worked hard today to understand the
car and make some improvements in set-up. As expected, he
did a good job and provided solid feedback, which is very
useful for us. He drove without driver aids today but that
was no problem for him because of his experience in GP2 driving
without traction is natural to him. The team already know
Kamui from his tests with us last winter but he is a young
driver with not so much Formula 1 experience so he had to
acclimatise and get used to a Formula 1 car again. He did
a good job, didn’t make any mistakes and gave us some
data on set-up with the new electronics system and new rear
end. He also completed an impressive number of laps which
shows how fit he is.”
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