Renault testing wrap
After a short break at the end of the 2005 GP season, the Renault F1 Team is back on track for its first winter test. The first day of 2005/6 winter testing saw Franck Montagny and Jose Maria Lopez in action for the Renault F1 Team. Both drivers ran the R25 with a V10 engine in simulated hV8 configuration.
Day 1, 30/11/05
Franck began the day with the V10 in normal configuration to establish a base-line set-up, before running the engine in restricted mode to simulate V8 power outputs. He worked on fine-tuning engine mapping, and made good progress on a set-up programme to adapt the car’s mechanical and aerodynamic handling to the revised demands of the lower power out-put.
Having not driven the car for quite a long period, Jose Maria Lopez initially had to re-acclimatize himself to the R25. Subsequently, he began running with the restricted V10, conducting further chassis set-up work in parallel to Franck’s programme.
Christian Silk, Chief Test Engineer “Our first day was a bit complicated owing to the very cold temperatures we had to face in the morning, which meant we could not complete any meaningful running until 11:00. However, we subsequently made good progress in understanding and optimising the car’s behaviour with the simulated 2006 power output.”
Day 2, 01/12/05
For the second day of testing, Franck Montagny continued to focus on chassis set up around the simulated V8 power output and also started working on tyre development. The team’s second chassis was been driven by Robert Kubica and Giorgio Mondini, both invited for their first taste of Formula 1 by the Renault F1 Team.
Franck Montagny “Our work today built on yesterday and we especially focused on electronic software during the morning. We subsequently ran a tyre programme that gave us some good directions for our next test sessions, because we already know that there is a lot of work to do in this area.”
Robert Kubica and Giorgio Mondini shared time in the second car, each running half a day during their maiden F1 tests. Kubica ran the R25 during the morning, steadily improving his lap-times and his understanding of the car as he worked his way to an impressive 1:17.997 after 41 laps. Giorgio Mondini took over after the lunchtime break, completing 40 laps as he got to grips with the demands of a race-winning Formula 1 car. He set a fastest time of 1:19.093.
Robert Kubica “I was pleased with the progress I made. That was what the team was really interested in, more than the absolute lap-times: to see how I worked with them, to give them feedback about the car. I tried to improve with every lap, and make no mistakes. From that point of view, it was a successful day.”
Giorgio Mondini “To be driving the world championship winning car is an extraordinary opportunity. My first aim was to enjoy the experience, without making any mistakes. It is not easy to understand how a car like this works in the space of a few hours, but it was really enjoyable…”
Christian Silk, Chief Test Engineer “We had a very productive morning today when we continued to work on adapting the chassis set up to the new regulation changes for 2006. We made good progress on different areas and the car responded very well. This afternoon we were more focused on tyre testing with Franck and it went quite smoothly. Overall, we had a very efficient day.”
