Paul Ricard test notes, day one

WORLD SERIES BY RENAULT AT PAUL RICARD

The Formula Renault 3.5 and the Megane Trophy are at the Circuit Paul Ricard HTTT for a final session of development testing ahead of the World Series by Renault's curtain-raiser meeting to take place in Zolder, on May 1.

The new World Series car will be put through its paces over the next two days with the help of three drivers: Frenchman Jonathan Cochet, the Finnish driver Heikki Kovalainen and Argentinean Jose María Lopez.

Stéphane Ortelli, the current development driver for the Megane Trophy, has also been on duty, testing the endurance of the car as well as the new engine cooling system. The tests will continue tomorrow.

The Renault Sport Technologies Development Team led by Jerôme Mortal will be testing the car's endurance, as well as a new evolution of the brakes for 2006. Jonathan Cochet has been working closely with the Team providing precious input data for the development of this new high-performance single-seater.

These two days at the Circuit Paul Ricard HTTT will also be an opportunity to test the car with a wide range of mechanical and aerodynamic set-ups combining different driving styles.

"Our main goal for this test is the endurance of both cars. With the new Formula Renault 3.5 car, it is important to have the feed-back of different drivers. We are also going to test the oil cooling system before Zolder."

World Series reigning champion and current GP2 driver with Team Arden Heikki Kovalainen has set a new lap record for the new Formula Renault 3.5 at Paul Ricard, using the 2D track solution. Kovalainen's best lap was 1'20."999, 1.9 seconds faster than his best timed lap back in February, when he first tested the FR 3.5: "I think the car is ready to race. It is a very nice package all together, engine, chassis and tyres. We completed a lot of laps without problems. I think the team has done a very good job".

Tomorrow it will be the turn of José María López. Member of the RDD program, "Pechito" will also be engaged in the new GP2 Series with Dams during the 2005 Season.

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