Paul Ricard test comes to an end for McLaren
Testing came to a close at the Paul Ricard High Tech Test Track today, with Team McLaren Mercedes having completed an intensive three day session putting in over 2,825km in total. The weather conditions all week were sunny and clear allowing the test team to maximise running on the track, which was in the 3E-SC (Short) configuration at 3.8km.
Today's eight hours of running in the south of France saw Pedro de la Rosa and Gary Paffett continue their programmes for the week. Pedro, in the MP4-21, worked on front suspension, dampers and set-up alongside Michelin tyre testing for San Marino. Meanwhile Gary focused on additional Michelin development in the interim MP4-20.
Pedro covered 450km today, over the course of 120 laps, and put in the third quickest time of the day, with a 1m04.591. Gary, who ended the day in fourth position on the timesheets with a 1m04.899, completed 620kms.
The test began on Wednesday and following a couple of hours in the garage as a result of a fuel pressure problem, Pedro set about completing over 397km without any interruptions. Thursday saw Pedro set the fastest time of the day, a 1m04.231, and cover 561km. With today's running, Pedro's total kilometres for the session has reached 1,416, as the team pushed forward with the development programme of the MP4-21.
This saw the Spaniard complete his scheduled programme for the week, with the V8 in his car covering over 1,400km, equating to more than four race distances and more than the average running of two race weekends.
Gary has also been completing significant mileage during the week, putting in 1,420km in total over the three days, as he continued the Michelin selection and development programme.
Pedro de la Rosa "This has been an intensive and productive three days of testing at Paul Ricard. I have been working with the test team on a range of development programmes with MP4-21, including damper work for San Marino, front suspension and some more general set-up work. We are continuing to make positive progress, which we will carry over to next week when Kimi and Juan Pablo will be testing at Barcelona before the return to racing at Imola."
Gary Paffett "My week has again been fully focused on Michelin development work. With the mileage we have covered, we have been able to complete a number of activities within the programme, including the final stages of Imola selection. We used one engine since I started the test and we did quite a few more miles than you usually do over the course of two race weekends."
