McLaren Jerez test notes 2005-07-15

West McLaren Mercedes completed its three day testing programme at the Circuito de Jerez today. Alex Wurz, in action for the third consecutive day, was joined at the Spanish circuit by Pedro de la Rosa.

Alex continued with assessing the prime and option Michelin tyre for the Mobil 1 German Grand Prix next weekend. In addition a new front wing package was tested on his chassis throughout the day. Alex switched cars today to the one that Juan Pablo Montoya had been driving all week, as in Hockenheim the spare car will be set up for Juan Pablo and with Alex taking on third driver duties at this event he had the opportunity to acclimatise to Juan Pablo's set up.

Pedro carried out general set up work in the morning and carried out evaluation for the prime tyre option to be used in Hockenheim in the afternoon. Unfortunately the gearbox had to be changed over lunch which lost him some time out on track but he was still able to complete a series of longer runs later on in the afternoon to complete the planned programme.

Pedro's fastest lap time today was a 1:16.919 and he completed 66 laps. Alex was fourth fastest, completing 120 laps with a best time of 1:17.341.

Juan Pablo Montoya :

"Although my first day of testing was interrupted and I didn't get as much track time as planned, we had a very productive day yesterday which saw me setting the fastest time of the week. The work we have done on the set up of the car and with the Michelin tyres I believe will give us a competitive package going into the back to back races at Hockenheim and Hungary."

Alex Wurz :

"I have covered a significant amount of miles over the past three days and have mainly been concentrating on assessing the prime and option Michelin tyre choices for the Mobil 1 German Grand Prix. The hot conditions we have experienced here over the three days should suit the climates at both Hockenheim and Hungary as traditionally both these events encounter high temperatures and this week has seen track temperature close to 50 degrees."

Pedro de la Rosa :

"A productive day of testing for me today despite the delay earlier this afternoon. I was concentrating on set up work in the morning moving onto the Michelin tyre programme in the afternoon. I completed several long stints this afternoon and we will now sit down with the engineers to evaluate all the information and select the tyres for the forthcoming grands prix."

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