Force India Monza test summary 2008-08-27

Force India's test and reserve driver Tonio Liuzzi today kick-started the team's three-day test at the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, Italy. The 5.793km high-speed, low downforce track is unlike any other circuit on the calendar and, as such, the team spent much of today conducting set-up and aero work that will be unique to this event and the forthcoming Italian Grand Prix.

Tonio completed 99 laps in total, with a best lap time of 1min 24.239, the 8th quickest time of the day. Adrian Sutil will take over for tomorrow's running, with Giancarlo Fisichella bringing the test to a close on Friday.

Team quotes

Dominic Harlow, chief race and test engineer

'With the aero configuration for Monza being dramatically different to any other track we visit on the calendar, today's programme focussed on evaluating different set-ups and wing levels specifically for the Italian Grand Prix. We also conducted some work on engine mapping, brake testing and tyre evaluation. Grip levels are low at the moment, and the tyres we are using are very hard for the conditions, but everyone has the same issue so we will work over the next days to optimise the performance. Overall, we had a good day and are pretty happy with the information we gathered, it's been a good start to the test.'

Tonio Liuzzi

'Today we tried to get a good set-up for the rest of the test and the race in just a couple of weeks time, and I think we can be happy with how it went today. This morning the grip levels were very low and it was quite difficult with the tyres we had, and especially as I had not been in the car for some time for a real test. We did make some good progress though, almost 100 laps with no problems and we are not too far from the others in the times either.'

Testing data
Driver: Tonio Liuzzi
Track: Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, Italy
Best lap time: 1min 24.239
Laps completed: 99
Kilometres completed 574km

Air temperature:  High of 30C

Track temperature:  High of 44C

Weather:   Sunny and warm

-credit: force india