Force India Jerez test notes 2008-01-16

SUTIL ROUNDS OFF FORCE INDIA TEST

Adrian Sutil brought the Force India Formula One Team's first test of 2008 to a close today at the Jerez de la Frontera circuit, Spain. Adrian, who turned 25 last Friday, drove on the third and final day of the scheduled test, completing the team's planned programme of evaluating the 2008 standard electronic control unit and a range of set-up options. Adrian also conducted several fuel cell tests today.

Rain again fell intermittently over the day and, with the now-frequent red flag periods, Adrian's running was limited to just 71 laps. With the track staying damp until mid afternoon, times were also slower than the previous days and Adrian's time of 1min 21.705 was not representative of the progress made today.

The test team will now remain in Spain, but travel from Jerez to Valencia for the second of its 2008 tests from 22 - 24 January. Tonio will drive on day one, followed by Adrian on the second and Giancarlo on the final day.

Team quotes

Mike Gascoyne , chief technical officer

'Obviously a fairly disruptive day for Adrian and the team due to the weather. The rain showers meant that the conditions on the track were fairly changeable until the last hour or so when we were able to do some dry running, but nevertheless it's good for Adrian to get back in the car after a reasonably long lay off over the Christmas period. Despite the stoppages over the three days, it was still a productive test with our new driving combination.'

Adrian Sutil

'With the rain it was not the best conditions at the start but at least this morning we did a lot of running in the wet, which was helpful as we tried some different settings. We still have quite a lot of work to do, but in the end I was quite happy, particularly as towards the mid afternoon we could do some dry running, which I needed as it's a new circuit for me - I had just a few laps three or four years ago in Formula 3! It's not that difficult to learn but there are still some tricky sections and even when it dried there were some damp parts, but I was happy to be back in the car.'

Testing data
Driver: Adrian Sutil
Track: Jerez de la Frontera, Spain
Best lap time: 1min 21.705
Laps completed: 71
Kilometres completed 308km
Air temperature: High of 18C
Track temperature: High of 20C
Weather: Light rain until mid afternoon, drier afterwards but with light clouds

-credit: force india