Paul Ricard test day two

F1 Teams Renault F1 (Fernando Alonso/ Heikki Kovalainen), Ferrari (Felipe Massa), McLaren Mercedes (Kimi Raikkonen/Juan Pablo Montoya), BMW Sauber (Nick Heidfeld/Jacques Villeneuve), Panasonic Toyota Racing (Ralf Schumacher /Jarno Trulli), Red Bull Racing (Christian Klien/David Coulthard) and Toro Rosso (Vitantonio Liuzzi) started their second test day at the Paul Ricard HTTT with hot summer temperatures.

Drivers again used the 2D SC short track solution, (3,593 km) continuing their preparation for the coming Monaco Grand Prix (May, 28th). They completed over 9500 km over the two days. Driving times were optimal; teams drove almost without interruption in the possible 8 hours, thanks to the particular run off concept of the Paul Ricard HTTT.

Spaniard Fernando Alonso set today's fastest lap in 01:05.363, improving of 3/10 yesterday's best lap. Drivers overall improved their best lap times from yesterday. Nevertheless the record set last year by Kimi Raikkonen (McLaren Mercedes) on this same track solution couldn't be improved because of the engine modification. Toro Rosso completed the greatest number of laps (168) with Vitantonio Liuzzi.

The test session will continue tomorrow on a longer and faster track solution, the 1E V1 SC short (5,245 km), allowing to work on engine and aerodynamics, for the Canadian Grand Prix (June, 25th).

Test drivers Pedro de La Rosa and Gary Paffett (McLaren Mercedes), Olivier Panis and Ricardo Zonta (Panasonic Toyota Racing) will take over from the race drivers. Present during the first test day, Robert Kubica will take the wheel of the BMW Sauber car with Jacques Villeneuve. Robert Doornbos, already present on Monday, will take over from Christian Klien (Red Bull Racing). The one and only Toro Rosso car will be driven by Swiss Neel Jani.

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