Formula 1
Last day of testing at Paul Ricard
Friday was the last day of testing this week at the Paul Ricard high tech facility in France and the day was effectively cut into two separate timed sessions due to a crash by McLaren's Alex Wurz. The team test driver went off track heading into Ste ...
Published: May 14, 2005, 9:34 AM
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Friday was the last day of testing this week at the Paul Ricard high tech facility in France and the day was effectively cut into two separate timed sessions due to a crash by McLaren's Alex Wurz. The team test driver went off track heading into Ste Baume and the car was badly damaged, as were the barriers.
Wurz was taken to the medical centre for checks and was pronounced fine. "I am okay and feeling fine, and was just disappointed that due to the damage to the car, I was not able to carry on with the day's programme," said the Austrian. McLaren is investigating the cause of the crash.
Until then the teams had been using the longer layout of the circuit (5.22km) but for the remainder of the day had to switch to the short version (3.55km). Before the change of track distance, McLaren's other test driver Pedro de la Rosa had been quickest, with Wurz just behind.
On the short track it was BAR's Takuma Sato who was fastest at the end of the day with a time of 1:00.074. Jenson Button was also on duty and was sixth overall. The team spent this test preparing for its return at the European Grand Prix at the end of the month and for Canada.
"Despite less than ideal circuit configurations this week, we have completed all of our planned programme with promising results, said chief test engineer Mark Ellis. "Development solutions for both the European and Canadian Grands Prix have proved successful and we expect to return to racing competing at the front for wins.
The Toyota test drivers concluded the team's week with second and third fastest, Ricardo Zonta ahead of Olivier Panis. The programme over the three days included tyre testing for Monaco and Canada, as well as set up work and weight distribution. Renault testers Heikki Kovalainen and Franck Montagny followed on in fourth and fifth respectively.
Christian Klien was the quicker of the two Red Bull cars on track with eighth on the time sheet, and teammate David Coulthard was 10th. Separating them was the Sauber of Jacques Villeneuve who concluded the Swiss team's test. His day finished early when he went wide and hit the kerbs, causing damage to the car.
Ferrari continued at Fiorano with test driver Luca Badoer on track. He focused on tyres for Monaco and set a best time of 57.447 over a total of 75 laps. He will be back in action tomorrow at the circuit, along with Rubens Barrichello.
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