Austrian GP Arrows preview

After the disappointment of the French Grand Prix, the Orange Arrows Test Team set to work at Silverstone for a 3 day test, determined to improve the A21's reliability before the Austrian Grand Prix. Jos Verstappen drove for all three days of the test, with Pedro de la Rosa also joining the test programme on Thursday in a second A21. The start of Tuesday's running was delayed until the afternoon due to fog, when Jos ran 35 laps, concentrating on mechanical chassis set-up work. The car ran reliably allowing the team to evaluate and gather data on several set-up options.

The second day of testing started with a wet circuit, allowing Jos to run through a programme of wet weather tyre options for Bridgestone. By the afternoon, the circuit had completely dried enabling the team to return to the chassis tuning programme, where several different settings were tested on both short and long runs. Jos completed 67 laps with the second fastest lap time, which the team was happy with considering the wet start to the day, and also because progress had been made with the A21's handling.

For the final day, true to form the weather made it a slow start with a damp circuit until midday, after which circuit conditions were good with even the sun making an appearance. Jos continued the chassis tuning programme while also running through tyre tests for Bridgestone. It was not a totally trouble free afternoon, with a minor problem delaying Jos when he lost the car's engine cover out on the circuit which also caused some minor rear wing damage. Jos still managed to run 46 laps and set the fastest time of the day with 1:24.970. Pedro was running a different test programme, which involved some longer runs and several pit stops to allow the team to practice its race pit stops. Pedro was also slightly delayed by a minor water leak but still completed 44 laps finishing the day in seventh position.

Pedro de la Rosa:
"I'm looking forward to Austrian and we are capable of qualifying quite high up in the grid. Now we have to keep the pace during the race and cure some of the problems we have experienced with race set-up".

Jos Verstappen:
"A1 Ring is a circuit where no one can test so all teams are in the same boat. Hopefully, and I know we will, sort the car out to be better than in Magny-Cours. I think we will be able to learn some useful set-up information from testing at Silverstone to apply to Austria, and then hopefully qualify where we should be, closer to the front of the grid. I like the circuit, and there are some overtaking opportunities which should make it an interesting race".