Paul Ricard Test – Day 2
Location: Circuit Paul Ricard, France
Driver: Ralf Schumacher
Track length: 3.593 kms
MAY THE DOWNFORCE BE WITH YOU
Panasonic Toyota Racing today completed its second day of
testing ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix with Ralf Schumacher
at the wheel for another productive stint at Paul Ricard.
Today may only be the second of four days testing at the French
track but it marked the last run of the week on the Monaco-specification
circuit. The second half of the test will be held on a different
circuit configuration and the emphasis will switch to Canadian
Grand Prix preparation. Today, however, Ralf continued to
focus on Monaco, the slowest track on the Formula 1 calendar,
where cars run in high downforce specification. The programme
therefore centred around aerodynamics as well as the different
electronic maps that will be used on the streets of the Principality.
Lap times were not the priority and Ralf again enjoyed a positive
day with no reliability concerns. Franck Montagny will take
over for the final two days at Paul Ricard on Thursday and
Friday.
Ralf Schumacher - Chassis TF107/03
Best Lap Time: 1min 06.598s
Position: 9th
Total laps: 111
Total distance: 398.823kms
“Monaco is a very different kind of track to the four
circuits we have been to so far this year. Today I finished
my aerodynamic and tyre programmes and also worked on the
different traction control maps that are used where there
is a premium on acceleration out of slow corners. We have
got through a lot of work over the past couple of days, which
is important when the competition is so tight.”
Gerd Pfeiffer, Test Team Manager
“Ralf has had a good test and we did all that we needed
to do for Monaco. It is the first time that we have run the
extra wings and flaps that you have in high downforce trim
and there was also a lot of electronic work to concentrate
on. We had good reliability again and the emphasis today was
not on setting quick times but on doing a comprehensive programme.
I think in general we can be happy but the proof is always
the result at the end of the race.”
|
