First run at Jerez for new VJM03
The Force India Formula One Team's 2010 challenger, the VJM03, made its official testing debut today at the Circuit de Jerez in Spain. Tonio Liuzzi was on driving duties and, despite the mainly wet conditions, covered more than 300km in a largely trouble-free run.
The programme today focussed on system familiarisation in the morning and then balance runs in the afternoon. The team was able to finish the plan and create a solid platform for the rest of the test.
Tonio will continue in the VJM03 tomorrow before Adrian Sutil takes over on Friday and Saturday. Paul di Resta will get his hands on the VJM03 on 17 February.
Tonio Liuzzi: "Today was definitely a good beginning to our testing programme. It was mainly about getting comfortable in the car, running through the systems. We did more than 70 laps and the car was reliable with no big issues, which is a very good starting point. Unfortunately we did just three laps in the dry in the morning before it started to rain. We are however pretty happy with how the day ended and now are looking forward to tomorrow where hopefully the weather will be better."
Dominic Harlow, chief race engineer: "We are pleased to have completed just over 300km today in what turned out to be mostly wet conditions. The work consisted of general characterisation of the new car's systems. Tomorrow we will continue this process and start to find out more about the balance and the 2010 tyres. It's really good to be back at the track and to see the team working together again in earnest for the first time in 2010."
Testing data
Driver: Tonio Liuzzi
Track: Circuito de Jerez, Spain
Best lap time: 1:24.968 (dry) / 1:30.403 (wet)
Laps completed: 71
Kilometres completed: 314km
