Location: Jerez, Spain
Driver: Franck Montagny
Track length: 4.423kms
LOOKING EAST
Panasonic Toyota Racing started a three-day test programme
with Franck Montagny at the wheel of the TF107 at Jerez in
Spain. The test is particularly significant as it is the last
chance the team has to finalise car development before the
season-closing races in Japan, China and Brazil. The next
race is at the revamped Fuji Speedway, which has not hosted
a Grand Prix since 1977, so much of today’s testing
work focused on aerodynamic and mechanical set-up work to
prepare for the Japanese Grand Prix. The team has a new aerodynamic
package for Fuji Speedway and Franck worked on refining that
today. Ralf Schumacher takes over from Franck tomorrow for
day two, while Jarno Trulli will conclude the test on Thursday.
Franck Montagny - Chassis TF107/06
Best Lap Time: 1min 21.555s
Position: 4th
Total laps: 72
Total distance: 318.356km
”It was quite a good day. We got through a lot of work,
most of it in race specification, and it was interesting.
I had a few problems with oversteer in the morning, which
was wearing the rear tyres, but part of that was down to track
conditions. The situation improved in the afternoon when we
changed the set-up and worked on the front and rear wings
and the floor – basically the latest aero package for
Fuji. By the end of the day I think we had quite a good understanding
of things. Personally, it was the first time I had been in
the car for about a month and a half, so I enjoyed the day.”
Gerd Pfeiffer, Test Team Manager
“Everything we had on our schedule got done, which
is always satisfying. We have established a good baseline
and will continue to concentrate on aerodynamic and set-up
work with the race drivers on Wednesday and Thursday. We can
be quite happy with our opening day.”
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