Formula 1

Button top at close of Monza test

The week's testing at Monza came to a close on June 15th with 13 drivers from seven teams at work. Honda's Jenson Button was at the top of the time sheet with a best of 1:22.917 and teammate Rubens Barrichello was fifth fastest. They concluded a ...

Published: Jun 15, 2006, 10:01 PM

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The week's testing at Monza came to a close on June 15th with 13 drivers from seven teams at work. Honda's Jenson Button was at the top of the time sheet with a best of 1:22.917 and teammate Rubens Barrichello was fifth fastest. They concluded a programme of aerodynamics, tyres and general set up work, although Barrichello was delayed by a driveline problem.

Jenson Button.

Photo by xpb.cc.

"The Montreal aero package work seemed to be positive and the results of our tyre programme were quite clear," said Button. "We also worked through a number of other development items with some good results, so it was just a shame we had the engine failure yesterday. All in all a good test for us though."

BMW Sauber test driver Robert Kubica joined Jacques Villeneuve and they posted the second and third best times respectively. Kubica, who was four tenths off Button, did analytical work on parts specifically for the Italian Grand Prix at this circuit in September. Villeneuve focused on aerodynamics and tyres.

Giancarlo Fisichella, freshly confirmed as a Renault race driver for 2007, was fourth quickest and team tester Heikki Kovalainen was seventh. Set up and tyres for the upcoming North American races were their programme for the past three days.

"We had a very satisfying final day of testing with some more set up works and tyre development for the preparation for the next races," said chief test engineer Christian Silk. "Heikki continued his tyre testing while Giancarlo also worked on brake testing this afternoon for Canada which will be very demanding in this area."

Mark Webber joined teammate Nico Rosberg at Williams for the last day and they were sixth and ninth respectively. "Mark continued the testing of some new gearbox parts and also tried some alternative brake materials," said test team manager Mike Condliffe.

"To conclude his day, Mark completed a tyre compound evaluation for the Canadian GP. Nico had a varied test today doing some set-up work, engine development and some construction and compound testing for Bridgestone."

Simon Corbyn, Cosworth head of F1 race engineering, added: "Monza is one of the toughest circuits for Formula One engines and this week Cosworth ran two Series 4 'race spec' engines significantly beyond our current two race weekend life limit. We also track tested a new Series 5 'development spec' engine for the first time. Results from Monza now need to be analysed to finalise the engine plan for the next two races."

Toyota had all four of its drivers at work on various days this week and Jarno Trulli rounded off today with the eighth fastest time. Ralf Schumacher was two behind in 10th. Much the same as other teams, they concentrated on preparations for Canada and America.

"For Montreal it is important to have good stability under heavy braking, as well as good traction, so we have been doing brake work as well as some suspension experimentation with different cambers and so forth," said chief test engineer Gerd Pfeiffer. "There has also been a full tyre programme concentrating on both Montreal and Indianapolis."

Red Bull had David Coulthard and test driver Robert Doornbos 11th and 13th, separated by Tonio Liuzzi, now back in the Toro Rosso cockpit after Doornbos was unwell on Wednesday. Both teams completed two-day tests working on aerodynamics, including low drag configurations, and the ubiquitous tyre programmes.

"Although it is hard to quantify the results of aerodynamic changes, the results seemed good," said Red Bull chief test engineer Ian Morgan. "We also worked on tyre choice for Indianapolis and looked at weight distribution as well as trying other chassis modifications."

Ferrari and McLaren continued at Paul Ricard, where Felipe Massa was again at the top of the times. He clocked a best of 1:23.052 while working on aerodynamic solutions and Ferrari tester Luca Badoer focused on new mechanical components and electronics. Both drivers also worked on tyres and Badoer was half a second off Massa.

Third fastest was McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen and team test driver Gary Paffett was fourth. They continued with aerodynamic modifications, set and brakes up for Montreal. Pedro de la Rosa is scheduled to join Paffett for the last day on Friday, and the Ferrari pair will also likewise stay on.

MF1 wrapped up its three-day programme at Silverstone with tester Giorgio Mondini and Christijan Albers sharing the driving duties. Tyres, set up and aerodynamics were their focus, as well as Mondini undertaking some studies for the team's Vehicle Science department.

"I think we had a reasonable day and I was fairly satisfied with our performance," said Albers. "The test has been a productive mix of reliability, development and setup work. The data we have collected will prove useful over the coming double-header events in North America until we can test again in week 27."

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