Minardi Silverstone test notes 2002-04-17

STEERING A COURSE TO SILVERSTONE

KL Minardi Asiatech today got under way with its first British test for two years, regular driver, Alex Yoong, taking the wheel of the single PS02 chassis and working through a busy technical programme that will assist the team in its preparations for the Spanish Grand Prix in 10 days time, as well for the British Grand Prix in July. The main items being evaluated during the two-day session at Silverstone are a power-steering system, revised engine and gearbox control software, suspension modifications and new aerodynamic components.

The project to design and manufacture the power-assisted steering system, carried out in conjunction with technical partner, Spillner Engineering of Duesseldorf, Germany, was completed in just two months. Once fitted to the team's race cars, it will significantly reduce driver fatigue on tight, twisting circuits, such as Monaco and Hungary. Mark Webber takes over the driving duties tomorrow.

ALEX YOONG

"It has been a frustrating day, since I was effectively able to do only two runs, one before lunch and one right at the end of the day. I went off the circuit this morning as the result of a technical problem with the car, and it took awhile to repair. On the positive side, we did productive 'aero' runs, some good launch-control starts, and put laps on the new power-steering system, which works perfectly. Generally, the aim was to get some useful technical data today, which we accomplished."

DR JOHN DAVIS, Deputy Technical Director

"It has been exceptionally nice weather for Silverstone in April. Today was particularly satisfying for the fact that our new power-steering system worked very well. We need to put more miles on it to establish race reliability, but initial feedback is that it reduces the physical input required from the driver while providing good feedback. Now we're back in Europe, KL Minardi Asiatech has a busy test schedule planned, and the aim is to make steady technical progress over the coming months."

Driver: Alex Yoong
Chassis allocated: KL Minardi Asiatech PS02- 01
Laps completed: 44
Fastest lap: 1 min 27.708 secs

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