Formula 1
Fisichella fastest as Silverstone test closes
The week's testing at Silverstone came to a close on April 27th with Renault's Giancarlo Fisichella the fastest man of the 14 drivers at work. The Italian clocked a best of 1:18.518 and team test driver Heikki Kovalainen was third ...
Published: Apr 28, 2006, 9:43 PM
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The week's testing at Silverstone came to a close on April 27th with Renault's Giancarlo Fisichella the fastest man of the 14 drivers at work. The Italian clocked a best of 1:18.518 and team test driver Heikki Kovalainen was third quickest.
Giancarlo Fisichella.
Photo by xpb.cc.
"It was a good day once again for us," said chief test engineer Christian Silk. "Heikki was back at the wheel today and focused on tyre testing as Giancarlo firstly worked on set-up changes and then on a tyre programme as well. The car performed very well during the week and the drivers were happy with its performance."
Both McLaren race drivers were on track, Kimi Raikkonen second quickest and Juan Pablo Montoya fifth. They concluded the week's work of engine and aerodynamic development and tyres for the Spanish and British Grands Prix.
"We have had some productive feedback over the last two days at Silverstone, with good information on set-ups and Michelins to take into the British Grand Prix in June," said Raikkonen. "As the last test before the Spanish race, we have also been focusing on completing the selection process for Barcelona with Michelin."
Christian Klien was a notable fourth fastest for Red Bull and teammate David Coulthard was eighth on the time sheet. It was a troubled test for the pair, with gearbox and engine woes but a productive time overall, according to sporting director Christian Horner.
"Hidden beneath the problems visible on the surface, these three days have produced some very valuable data which should see us move forward in development terms in a few races time," he said. "The problems we experienced are all part and parcel of a development programme as we pursue more performance from the car."
Test driver Anthony Davidson was the lead Honda in sixth and Rubens Barrichello was ninth on the time sheet. Tonio Liuzzi recovered from "some interesting chassis modification" to the Red Bull on Wednesday and clocked the seventh fastest time, back behind the wheel of a Toro Rosso.
Mark Webber and tester Alex Wurz were on track for Williams, 10th and 13th respectively. "It was very difficult to get comparable runs in during the morning session as there were plenty of red flags and a short spell of rain," said test team manager Mike Condliffe. "We continued with our compound tests, however, as well as putting some very useful mileage on some revised clutch parts to prove their reliability."
Robert Kubica was the sole BMW Sauber present and posted a best of 11th quickest. He swapped between the 06 and 07 chassis, working on dampers, aerodynamics and tyres. Next weekend's European Grand Prix at the N?rburgring will be BMW's first home race. Tester Adrian Sutil represented MF1 and rounded off the times in 14th.
Ferrari and Toyota continued at Paul Ricard and Michael Schumacher was the fastest of the three drivers present, 58.287 for the Scuderia. He worked on Bridgestone tyres and teammate Felipe Massa was still on duty at Fiorano. He set a best time of 57.134 over 61 laps, focusing on new components and electronics.
Toyota test driver Ricardo Zonta was second quickest at Paul Ricard, a few tenths off Schumacher, and racer Jarno Trulli was third. "I feel we had a constructive test, even though it rained in the afternoon and caused some challenging track conditions," said Zonta.
"Throughout most of the day, we worked on analyzing car behaviour based on issues and data that resulted at the Imola race. In the afternoon, we took advantage of the rain, and ran some wet tyre tests."
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