Jerez Jordan testing notes 97-02-10

JORDAN TEST Jerez, February 7th to 10th. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ February 10, 1997 - The Benson and Hedges Jordan Peugeot team today successfully completes its four-day test of the Jor- dan-Peugeot 197 at Jerez, Spain. The dramatically coloured yellow and black car completed a total of 129 laps, with the driving split between Giancarlo Fisichella (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) and Ralf Schumacher (Monday). With Ralf Schumacher suffering from flu, Giancarlo Fisichel- la took to the wheel on Friday, February 7th, reversing the scheduled testing order. His first impressions of the car were good. "The car has good downforce and grip and overall it feels very promising," he commented. Unfortunately time was lost with seat fitting and solving an electronic problem and the day's testing finished earlier than planned due to a rear lower wing problem. A total of 17 laps were completed. On Saturday, February 8th testing continued with Fisichella under windy and dusty conditions. The team concentrated on im- proving oil pick-up for the engine, running maximum and minimum oil levels, and on obtaining data for Peugeot. The rear wing problem persisted, so the testing was limited to short laps, and a total of 20 were completed with a fastest time of 1:23.30. Sunday, 9th proved to be a very productive day of testing. Changes to the seat and pedals to make Fisichella more comfort- able, together with a modified rear wing, sent from the UK to solve the problems experienced in the previous days meant that 47 laps were completed in a best time of 1:21.86 (with the car running with reasonable amounts of fuel). Work was also completed on the active differential. Today (Monday, February 10th), Ralf Schumacher completed 45 laps under warm (65 degrees F) conditions. During the morning session, in accordance with Peugeot engine testing, an excess of race distance was completed with no problems and with Schumacher setting a best time of 1:21.64. The engine was changed over lunchtime. but unfortunately problems were experienced with the second engine and only five laps were completed in the afternoon. Ralf Schumacher, however, was very pleased with his day at the track, saying he felt confident about the car and that he fully agreed with the comments last week by Fisichella. Monday, Feb 10th times. 1. Gerhard Berger Benetton-Renault 1:21.01. 2. Jean Alesi Benetton-Renault 1:21.16. 3. Jacques Villeneuve Benetton-Renault 1:21.25. 3. Ralf Schumacher JOrdan-Peugeot 1:21.64

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* 1st 2.00 #8604 * A rhetorical question deserves a rhetorical answer.